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LEGENDS 


OF   THE 


THIRTEEN    REPUBLICS, 


«  Why,  I  will  fiiTht  with  bim  "Pon  ""*  theme 
•  Until  my  eyelids  will  no  longer  wag."    . 


LIONEL  LINCOLN; 


0*3 


THE   LEAGUER.    OF    BOSTON. 


IN  TWO  VOLUMES. 


«  First  let  me  talk  with  this  Philosopher." 


.BY  THE  AUTHOR  OF  THE  PIONEERS,  PILOT,  Sic. 


VOL.  I. 


NEW-YORK : 

PUBLISHED  BY  CHARLES  WILEY. 

D.  FANSHAW,  PRINTER; 

1825. 


Southern  Oittrict  of  Nftu-York,  ss. 


it  IRetttembetCBj   that    ou  the  seventh  day   of  De 
cember,  in  the  49th  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United 
States   of  America,  Charles  Wiley,  of  Uie  said  district,  hath 
deposited  in  this  office  the  title  of  a  book,  the  right  whereof 
he  claims  as  proprietor,  in  the  words  following,  to  wit: 

"  Lionel  Lincoln  ;  or,  the  Leaguer  of  Boston.  In  Two  Volumes.  '  First 
let  me  talk  with  this  Philosopher.'  By  the  Author  of  Pioneers,  Pilot,  &c." 

In  conformity  to  the  Act  of  Congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled  "  An 
Act  for  the  encouragement  of  Learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of  Maps, 
Charts,  and  Books,  to  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during 
the  time  therein  mentioned."  And  also  to  an  Act,  entitled  "  an  Act,  sup 
plementary  to  an  Act,  entitled  an  Act  for  the  encouragement  of  Learning1, 
by  securing  th«  copies  of  Maps,  Charts,  aud  Books,  to  the  authors  ailtl 
proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therein  mentioned,  and  ex 
tending  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  designing,  engraving,  and 
etching-  historical  and  other  prints." 

JAMES  DILL, 
Clerk  of  the  Southern  District  of  New-  York. 


'. .  i 

WILLIA1VI    JAY, 


BEDFORD,  WEST-CHESTER. 


ESQUIRE. 


MY  DEAR  JAY, 

An  unbroken  intimacy  of  four-arid- 
twenty  years  may  justify  the  present 
use  of  your  name.  A  man  of  readier 
wit  than  myself,  might,  on  such  a  sub 
ject,  find  an  opportunity  of  saying  some 
thing  clever,  concerning  the  exalted  ser 
vices  of  your  father.  No  weak  testimony 
of  mine,  however,  can  add  to  a  fame 
that  belongs  already  to  posterity — And. 
one  like  myself,  who  has  so  long  known 
the  merits,  and  has  so  often  experienced 
the  friendship  of  the  son,  can  find  even 
better  reasons  for  offering  these  Legends 
to  yeur  notice. 

Very  truly  and  constantly, 
Yours, 

THE  AUTHOR 

Q-"  *1 

*-»_J_C-- : 


PREFACE. 


THE  manner  in  which  the  author  be 
came  possessed  of  the  private  incidents,, 
the  characters,  and  the  descriptions,  con 
tained  in  these  tales,  will,  most  probably, 
ever  remain  a  secret  between  himself 
and  his  publisher.  That  the  leading 
events  are  true,  he  presumes  it  is  un 
necessary  to  assert ;  for  should  inherent 
testimony,  to  prove  that  important  point, 
be  wanting,  he  is  conscious  that  no  ano 
nymous  declaration  can  establish  its  cre 
dibility. 

But  while  he  shrinks  from  directly 
yielding  his  authorities,  the  author  has  no 
hesitation  in  furnishing  all  the  negative 
testimony  in  his  power. 

In  the  first  place,  then,  he  solemnly 
declares,  that  no  unknown  man,  nor 
woman,  has  ever  died  in  his  vicinity,  of 
whose  effects  he  has  become  the  possess 
or,  by  either  fair  means  or  foul.  No  dark- 
looking  stranger,  of  a  morbid  tempera 
ment,  and  of  inflexible  silence,  has  ever 
transmitted  to  him  a  single  page  of  illegi 
ble  manuscript.  Nor  has  any  landlord  fur 
nished  him  with  materials  to  be  worked 


$iii  PREFACE, 

up  into  a  book,  in  order  that  the  profits 
might  go  to  discharge  the  arrearages  of  a 
certain  consumptive  lodger,  who  made 
his  exit  so  unceremoniously  as  to  leave 
the  last  item  in  his  account,  his  funeral 
charges. 

He  is  indebted  to  no  garrulous  tale-tel 
ler  for  beguiling  the  long  winter  eve 
nings  ;  in  ghosts  he  has  no  faith ;  he  never 
had  a  vision  in  his  life  ;  and  he  sleeps 
too  soundly  to  dream. 

He  is  constrained  to  add,  that  in  no 
"  puff,"  "  squib,"  "  notice,"  "  article," 
nor  "  review,"  whether,  in  daily,  week 
ly,  monthly,  or  quarterly  publication,  has 
he  been  able  to  find  a  single  hint  that 
his  humble  powers  could  improve.  No 
one  regrets  this  fatality  more  than  him 
self;  for  these  writers  generally  bring 
such  a  weight  of  imagination  to  their 
several  tasks,  that,  properly  improved, 
might  secure  the  immortality  of  any  book;, 
by  rendering  it  unintelligible. 

He  boldly  asserts  that  he  has  derived 
no  information  from  any  of  the  learned 
societies — and  without  fear  of  contra 
diction  ;  for  wrhy  should  one  so  obscure 
be  the  exclusive  object  of  their  favours ! 

Notwithstanding    he    occasionally   is 


PREFACE.  IK 


sfcen  in  that  erudite  and  abstemious 
association,  the  "  Bread-and-Cheese 
Lunch,"  where  he  is  elbowed  by  law 
yers,  doctors,  jurists,  poets,  painters, 
editors,  congressmen,  and  authors  of 
every  shade  and  qualification,  whether 
metaphysical,  scientific,  or  imaginative, 
he  avers,  that  he  esteems  the  lore  which 
is  there  culled,  as  far  too  sacred  to  be 
used  in  any  work  less  dignified  than  ac 
tual  history. 

Of  the  colleges  it  is  necessary  to 
speak  with  reverence ;  though  truth  pos 
sesses  claims  even  superior  to  gratitude. 
He  shall  dispose  of  them  by  simply 
saying,  that  they  are  entirely  innocent  of 
all  his  blunders ;  the  little  they  bestow 
ed  having  long  since  been  forgotten. 

He  has  stolen  no  images  from  the  deep, 
natural  poetry  of  Bryant ;  no  pungency 
from  the  wit  of  Halleck ;  no  felicity  of 
expression  from  the  richness  of  Percival  j 
no  satire  from  the  caustic  pen  of  Pauld- 
ing ;  no  periods,  nor  humour  from  Irving; 
nor  any  high  finish  from  the  attain 
ments  exhibited  by  Verplanck. 

At  the  "  soirees"  and  "  coteries  des 
bas  bleus"  he  did  think  he  had  obtained 
a  prize,  in  the  dandies  of  literature. 


PREFACE. 


. 

who  haunt  them.  But  experiment  and 
analysis  detected  his  error  ;  as  they  prov 
ed  these  worthies  unfit  for  any  better  pur 
pose  than  that  which  their  own  instinct 
had  already  dictated. 

He  has  made  no  impious  attempt  to 
rob  Joe  Miller  of  his  jokes;  the  senti 
mentalists  of  their  pathos ;  nor  the  news 
paper  Homers  of  their  lofty  inspira 
tions. 

His  presumption  has  not  even  imagin 
ed  the  vivacity  of  the  eastern  states  ;  he 
has  not  analyzed  the  homogeneous  cha 
racter  of  the  middle ;  and  he  has  left  the 
south  hi  the  undisturbed  possession  of 
all  their  saturnine  wit. 

In  short — he  has  pilfered  from  no 
black-letter  book,,  nor  any  six- penny 
pamphlet ;  his  grandmother  unnaturally 
refused  her  assistance  to  his  labors;  and, 
to  speak  affirmatively,  for  once,  he  wishes 
to  live  in  peace,  and  hopes  to  die  in  the 
fear  of  God. 


PREFACE 

TO 

LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

IN  this  tale  there  are  one  or  two  slight 
anachronisms;  which,  if  unnoticed,  might, 
with  literal  readers,  draw  some  unpleasant 
imputations  on  its  veracity. — They  relate 
rather  to  persons  than  to  things.  As  they 
are  believed  to  be  quite  in  character,  con 
nected  with  circumstances  much  more 
probable  than  facts,  and  to  possess  ail 
the  harmony  of  poetic  colouring,  the 
author  is  utterly  unable  to  discover  the 
reason  why  they  are  not  true. 

He  leaves  the  knotty  point  to  the  in 
stinctive  sagacity  of  the  critics. 

The  matter  of  this  "  Legend"  may  be 
pretty  equally  divided  into  that  which  is 
publicly,  and  that  which  is  privately  eer- 
tain.  For  the  authorities  of  the  latter, 
the  author  refers  to  the  foregoing  preface  ; 
but  he  cannot  dispose  of  the  sources 
whence  he  has  derived  the  former,  wit!) 
so  little  ceremony. 


XII  PREFACE. 

The  good  people  of  Boston  are  aware 
of  the  creditable  appearance  they  make 
in  the  early  annals  of  the  confederation, 
and  they  neglect  no  commendable  means 
to  perpetuate  the  glories  of  their  ances 
tors.  In  consequence,  the  inquiry  af 
ter  historical  facts,  is  answered,  there,  by 
an  exhibition  of  local  publications,  that 
no  other  town  in  the  union  can  equal.  Of 
these  means  the  author  has  endeavoured 
to  avail  himself;  collating  with  care, 
and  selecting,  as  he  trusts,  with  some  of 
that  knowledge  of  men  and  things  which 
is  necessary  10  present  a  faithful  picture. 
Wherever  he  may  have  failed,  he  has 
done  it  honestly. 

He  will  not  take  leave  of  the  *  cradle  of 
liberty,'  without  expressing  his  thanks 
for  the  facilities  which  have  been  so  free 
ly  accorded  to  his  undertaking.  If  he  has 
not  been  visited  by  aerial  beings,  and 
those  fair  visions  that  poets  best  love  to 
create,  he  is  certain  he  will  not  be  mis 
conceived  when  he  says,  that  he  has  been 
honoured  by  the  notice  of  some  resem 
bling  those,  who  first  inspired  their  fan 
cies. 


LIONEL  LINCOLN; 

OR 

THE  LEAGUER  OF  BOSTON. 
CHAPTER  I. 

"  My  weary  soul  they  seem  to  soothe, 
"  And,  redolent  of  joy  and  youth, 
"  To  breathe  a  second  spring." 

Gray. 

No  American  can  be  ignorant  of  the  principal 
events  that  induced  the  parliament  of  Great 
Britain,  in  1774,  to  lay  those  impolitic  restrictions 
on  the  port  of  Boston,  which  so  effectually  de 
stroyed  the  trade  of  the  chief  town  in  her  western 
colonies.  Nor  should  it  be  unknown  to  any  Ame-  ' 
rican,  how  nobly,  and  with  what  devotedness  to 
the  great  principles  of  the  controversy,  the  in 
habitants  of  the  adjacent  town  of  Salem  refused  to 
profit  by  the  situation  of  their  neighbours  and  fel- 
io\v-subjects.  In  consequence  of  these  impolitic 
measures  of  the  English  government,  and  of  the 
laudable  unanimity  among  the  capitalists  of  the 
times,  it  became  a  rare  sight  to  see  the  canvass  of 
any  other  vessels  than  such  as  wore  the  pennants 
of  the  king,  whitening  the  forsaken  waters  of  Mas* 
sachusetts  bay. 

VOL.  I.  2 


2  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

Towards  the  decline  of  a  day  in  April,  177ot 
however,  the  eyes  of  hundreds  had  been  fastened 
on  a  distant  sail,  which  was  seen  rising  from  the 
bosom  of  the  waves,  making  her  way  along  the 
forbidden  track,  and  steering  directly  for  the 
mouth  of  the  proscribed  haven.  With  that  deep 
solicitude  in  passing  events  which  marked  the 
period,  a  large  group  of  spectators  was  collected 
on  Beacon-Hill,  spreading  from  its  conical  summit, 
far  down  the  eastern  declivity,  all  gazing  intently 
on  the  object  of  their  common  interest.  In  so 
large  an  assemblage,  however,  there  were  those 
who  were  excited  by  very  different  feelings,  and 
indulging  in  wishes  directly  opposite  to  each  other. 
While  the  decent,  grave,  but  wary  citizen  was  en 
deavouring  to  conceal  the  bitterness  of  the  sensa 
tions  which  soured  his  mind,  under  the  appearance 
of  a  cold  indifference,  a  few  gay  young  men,  who 
mingled  in  the  throng,  bearing  about  their  person? 
the  trappings  of  their  martial  profession,  were 
loud  in  their  exultations,  and  hearty  in  their  con 
gratulations  on  the  prospect  of  hearing  from  their 
distant  homes  and  absent  friends.  But  the  long', 
loud  rolls  of  the  drums,  ascending  on  the  evening 
air,  from  the  adjacent  common,  soon  called  these 
idle  spectators,  in  a  body,  from  the  spot,  when  the 
hill  was  left  to  the  quiet  possession  of  those  who 
claimed  the  strongest  right  to  its  enjoyment.  It 
was  not,  however,  a  period  for  open  and  unreserv 
ed  communications.  Long  before  the  mists  of 
evening  had  succeeded  the  shadows  thrown  from 
the  setting  sun,  the  hill  was  entirely  deserted ;  the 
remainder  of  the  spectators  having  descended  from 
the  eminence,  and  held  their  several  courses,  singly, 
silent,  and  thoughtful,  towards  the  rows  of  dusky 
roofs  that  covered  the  lowland,  along  the  eastern 
side  of  the  peninsula.  Notwithstanding  this  ap 
pearance  of  apathy,  rumour,  which,  in  times  of 
great  excitement,  ever  finds  means  to  convey  it* 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  3 

whisperings,  when  it  dare  not  bruit  its  information 
aloud,  was  busy  in  circulating  the  unwelcome  in 
telligence,  that  the  stranger  \vas  the  first  of  a  fleet, 
bringing  stores  and  reinforcements  to  an  army 
already  too  numerous,  and  too  confident  of  its 
power,  to  respect  the  law.  No  tumult  or  noise 
succeeded  this  unpleasant  annunciation,  but  the 
doors  of  the  houses  were  sullenly  closed,  and  the 
windows  darkened,  as  if  the  people  intended  to 
express  their  dissatisfaction,  alone,  by  these  silent 
testimonials  of  their  disgust. 

In  the  mean  time  the  ship  had  gained  the  rocky 
entrance  to  the  harbour,  where,  deserted  by  the 
breeze,  and  met  by  an  adverse  tide,  she  lay  inac 
tive,  as  if  conscious  of  the  unwelcome  reception 
she  must  receive.  The  fears  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Boston  had,  however,  exaggerated  the  danger; 
for  the  vessel,  instead  of  exhibiting  the  confused 
and  disorderly  throng  of  licentious  soldiery  which 
•would -have  crowded  a  transport,  was  but  thinly 
peopled,  and  her  orderly  decks  were  cleared  of 
every  incumbrance  that  could  interfere  with  the 
comfort  of  those  she  did  contain.  There  was  an  ap 
pearance,  in  the  arrangements  of  her  external  ac 
commodations,  which  would  have  indicated  to  an 
observant  eye,  that  she  carried  those  who  claimed 
the  rank,  or  possessed  the  means,  of  making  others 
contribute  largely  to  their  comforts.  The  few  sea 
men  who  navigated  the  ship,  lay  extended  on  differ 
ent  portions  of  the  vessel,  watching  the  lazy  sails 
as  they  flapped  against  the  masts,  or  indolently 
bending  their  looks  on  the  placid  waters  of  the  bay; 
•while  several  menials,  in  livery,  crowded  around  a 
young  man  who  was  putting  his  eager  inquiries  to 
the  pilot,  that  had  just  boarded  the  vessel  off  the 
Graves.  .The  dress  of  this  youth  was  studiously 
neat,  and*  fro  in  the  excessive  pains  bestowed  on  its 
adjustment,  it  was  obviously  deemed,  by  its  wearer, 
to  be  in  the  height  of  the  prevailing  customs^ 


4  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

From  the  place  where  this  inquisitive  party  stood, 
nigh  the  main-mast,  a  wide  sweep  of  the  quarter 
deck  was  untenanted  ;  but  nearer  to  the  spot  where 
the  listless  seaman  hung  idly  over  the  tiller  of  the 
ship,  stood  a  being  of  a!  together  different  mould  and 
fashion.  He  was  a  man  who  would  have  seemed 
in  the  very  extremity  of  age,  had  not  his  qiuck, 
vigorous  steps,  and  the  glowing,  rapid  glances 
from  his  eyes,  as  he  occasionally  paced  the  deck, 
appeared  to  deny  the  usual  indications  of  many 
years.  His  form  was  bowed,  and  attenuated  nearly 
to  emaciation.  His  hair,  which  fluttered  a  little 
wildly  around  his  temples,  was  thin,  and  silvered  to 
the  whiteness  of  at  least  eighty  winters.  Deep  fur 
rows,  like  the  lines  of  great  age  and  long  endured 
cares  united,  wrinkled  his  hollow  cheeks,  and  ren 
dered  the  bold  haughty  outline  of  his  prominent  fea 
tures  still  more  remarkable.  He  was  clad  in  a  sim 
ple  and  some \v hat  tarnished  suit  of  modest  gray, 
which  bore  about  it  the  ill-concealed  marks  of  long 
and  neglected  use.  Whenever  he  turned  his  pierc 
ing  look  from  the  shores,  he  moved  swiftly  along- 
the  deserted  quarter  deck,  and  seemed  entirely 
engrossed  with  the  force  of  his  own  thoughts,  his 
lips  moving  rapidly,  though  no  sounds  were  heard 
to  issue  from  a  mouth  that  was  habitually  silent. 
He  was  under  the  influence  of  one  of  those  sud 
den  impulses  in  which  the  body,  apparently, 
sympathized  so  keenly  with  the  restless  activity  of 
the  mind,  when  a  young  man  ascended  from  the 
Cabin,  and  took  his  stand  among  the  interested  and 
oxcited  gazers  at  the  land,  on  the  upper  deck. 
The  age  of  this  gentleman  might  have  been  five 
and  twenty.  He  wore  a  military  cloak,  thrown 
carelessly  across  his  form,  which,  in  addition  to 
such  parts  of  his  dress  as  were  visible  through  its 
Open  folds,  sufficiently  announced  that  his  profes 
sion  was  that  of  arms.  There  was  an  air  of  east^ 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  5 

and  high  fashion  gleaming  about  his  person,  though 
his  speaking  countenance,  at  times,  seemed  melan 
choly,  if  not  sad.  On  gaining  the  deck,  this  young 
officer,  encountering  the  eyes  of  the  aged  and  rest 
less  being  who  trod  its  planks,  bowed  courteously 
before  he  turned  away  to  the  view,  and  in  his  turn 
became  deeply  absorbed  in  studying  its  fading 
beauties. 

The  rounded  heights  of  Dorchester  were  radiant 
with  the  rays  of  the  luminary  that  had  just  sunk 
behind  their  crest,  and  streaks  of  paler  light  were 
playing  along  the  waters,  and  gilding  the  green 
summits  of  the  islands  which  clustered  across  the 
mouth  of  the  estuary.  Far  in  the  distance  were 
to  be  seen  the  tall  spires  of  the  churches,  rising  out 
of  the  deep  shadows  of  the  town,  with  their  vanes 
glittering  in  the  sun-beams,  while  a  few  rays  of 
strong  light  were  dancing  about  the  black  beacon, 
which  reared  itself  high  above  the  conical  peak 
that  took  its  name  from  the  circumstance  of  sup 
porting  this  instrument  of  alarms.  Several  large 
vessels  were  anchored  among  the  islands  and  be 
fore  the  town,  their  dark  hulls,  at  each  moment, 
becoming  less  distinct  through  the  haze  of  even 
ing,  while  the  summits  of  their  long  lines  of 
masts  were  yet  glowing  with  the  marks  of  day. 
From  each  of  these  sullen  ships,  from  the  low  for 
tification  which  rose  above  a  small  island  deep  in 
the  bay,  and  from  various  elevations  in  the  town 
itself,  the  broad,  silky  folds  of  the  flag  of  England 
were  yet  waving  in  the  currents  of  the  passing 
air.  The  young  man  was  suddenly  aroused  from 
gazing  at  this  scene,  by  the  quick  reports  of  the 
evening  guns,  and  while  his  eyes  were  yet  tracing 
the  descent  of  the  proud  symbols  of  the  British 
power,  from  their  respective  places  of  display,  he 
felt  his  arm  convulsively  pressed  by  the  hand  of 
his  aged  fellow-passenger. 


O  LIONEL   LINCOLN'. 

"  Will  the  day  ever  arrive,"  said  a  low,  hollotf 
voice  at  his  elbow,  "  when  those  flags  shall  be 
lowered,  never  to  rise  again  in  this  hemisphere!" 

The  young  soldier  turned  his  quick  eyes  to  the 
countenance  of  the  speaker,  but  bent  them  instantly 
in  embarrassment  on  the  deck,  to  avoid  the  keen, 
searching  glance  he  encountered  in  the  looks  of 
the  other.  A  long,  and  on  the  part  of  the  young 
man,  a  painful  silence  succeeded  this  remark.  At 
length  the  youth,  pointing  to  the  land,  said — 

"  Tell  me,  you,  who  are  of  Boston,  and  must 
have  known  it  so  long,  the  names  of  all  these 
beautiful  places  I  see." 

"  And  are  you  not  of  Boston,  too  ?"  asked  his 
old  companion. 

"  Certainly  by  birth,  but  an  Englishman  by- 
habit  and  education." 

"  Accursed  be  the  habits,  and  neglected  the 
education,  which  would  teach  a  child  to  forget  its 
parentage  !"  muttered  the  old  man,  turning  sud 
denly,  and  walking  auay  so  rapidly  as  to  be  soon 
lost  in  the  forward  parts  of  the  ship. 

For  several  minutes  longer,  the  youth  stood  ab 
sorbed  in  his  own  musings,  when,  as  if  recollecting 
his  previous  purposes,  hecalled  aloud — "Meriton.'' 

At  the  sounds  of  his  voice  the  curious  group 
around  the  pilot  instantly  separated,  and  the  highly 
ornamented  youth,  before  mentioned,  approached 
the  officer,  with  a  manner  in  which  pert  familia 
rity  and  fearful  respect  were  peculiarly  blended. 
Without  regarding  the  air  of  the  other,  however, 
or  indeed  without  even  favouring  him  with  a 
glance,  the  young  soldier  continued — 
1  "  I  desired  you  to  detain  the  boat  which  boarded 
u$,  in  order  ta  convey  me  to  the  town,  Mr.  Meii 
tan  ;  see  if  it  be  in  readiness." 

The  valet  flew  to  execute  this  commission,  and  in 
an  instant  returned  with  a  reply  in  the  affirmative-. 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  7 

ft  But,  sir,"  he  continued,  "  you  will  never  think 
Of  going  in  that  boat,  I  feel  very  much  assured, 
sir." 

"  Your  assurance,  Mr.  Meriton,  is  not  the  least 
of  your  recommendations ;  why  should  I  not  ?" 

"  That  disagreeable  old  stranger  has  taken  pos 
session  of  it,  with  his  mean,  filthy  bundle  of  rags ; 
and—" 

"  And  what  ?  you  must  name  a  greater  evil, 
to  detain  me  here,  than  mentioning  the  fact  that 
the  only  gentleman  in  the  ship  is  to  be  my  com 
panion." 

"  Lord,  sir !"  said  Meriton,  glancing  his  eye  up 
ward  in  amazement;  "but,  sir,  surely  you  know 
best  as  to  gentility  of  behaviour — but  as  to  gen 
tility  of  dress — " 

"  Enough  of  this,"  interrupted  his  master,  a  little 
angrily;  "the  company  is  such  as  I  am  content 
with ;  if  you  find  it  unequal  to  your  deserts,  you 
have  rny  permission  to  remain  in  the  ship  until 
the  morning — the  presence  of  a  coxcomb  is  by  no 
means  necessary  to  my  comfort  for  one  night." 

Without  regarding  the  mortification  of  his  dis- . 
concerted  valet,  the  young  man  passed  along  the 
deck  to  the  place  where  the  boat  was  in  waiting. 
By  the  general  movement  among  the  indolent  me 
nials,  and  the  profound  respect  with  which  he  was 
attended  by  the  master  of  the  ship  to  the  gangway, 
it  was  sufficiently  apparent,  that  notwithstanding 
his  youth,  it  was  this  gentleman  whose  presence  had 
exacted  those  arrangements  in  the  ship,  which  have 
been  mentioned.  While  all  around  him,  however, 
were  busy  in  facilitating  the  entrance  of  the  officep 
into  the  boat,  the  aged  stranger  occupied  its  princi 
pal  seat,  with  an  air  of  deep  abstraction,  if  nqt  oi 
cool  indifference.  A  hint  from  the  pliant  Meriton. 
who  had  ventured  to  follow  his  master,  that  it  would 
be  more  agreeable  if  he  would  relinquish  his  place, 


8  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

was  disregarded,  and  the  youth  took  a  seat  by  the 
side  of  the  old  man,  with  a  simplicity  of  manner 
that  his  valet  inwardly  pronounced  abundantly 
degrading.  As  if  this  humiliation  were  not  suffi 
cient,  the  young  man  perceiving  that  a  general 
pause  had  succeeded  his  own  entrance,  turned  to 
hi?  companion,  and  courteously  inquired  if  he  were 
ready  to  proceed.  A  silent  wave  of  the  hand  was 
the  reply,  when  the  boat  shot  away  from  the  ves 
sel,  leaving  the  ship  steering  for  an  anchorage  in 
Nantasket. 

The  measured  dash  of  the  oars  was  uninterrupt 
ed  by  any  voice,  while,  stemming  the  tide,  they  pull 
ed  laboriously  up  among  the  islands;  but  by  the 
time  they  had  reached  the  castle,  the  twilight  had 
melted  into  the  softer  beams  from  a  young  moon, 
and  the  surrounding  objects  becoming  more  dis 
tinct,  the  stranger  commenced  talking  with  that 
quick  and  startling  vehemence  which  seemed  his 
natural  manner.  He  spoke  of  the  localities,  with  the 
vehenjence  and  fondness  of  an  enthusiast,  and  with 
the  familiarity  of  one  who  had  long  known  their 
beauties.  His  rapid  utterance,  however,  ceased  as 
they  approached  the  naked  wharves,  and  he  sunk 
back  gloomily  in  the  boat,  as  if  unwilling  to  trust 
his  voice  on  the  subject  of  his  country's  wrongs. 
Thus  left  to  his  own  thoughts,  the  youth  gazed, 
with  eager  interest,  at  the  long  ranges  of  buildings, 
which  were  now  clearly  visible  to  the  eye,  though 
with  softer  colours  and  more  gloomy  shadows.  A 
few  neglected  and  dismantled  ships  were  lying  at 
different  points;  but  the  hum  of  business, the  forests 
of  masts,  and  the  rattling  of  wheels  which  at  that 
early  hour  should  have  distinguished  the  great  mart 
of  the  colonies,  were  wanting.  In  their  places 
were  to  be  heard,  at  intervals,  the  sudden  bursts  of 
distant,  martial  music,  the  riotous  merriment  of  the 
soldiery  who  frequented  the  taverns  at  the  water's 


LIONEL   LINCOLN,  9 

edge,  or  the  sullen  challenges  of  the  sentinels  from 
the  vessels  of  war,  as  they  vexed  the  progress  of 
the  few  boats  which  the  inhabitants  still  used  in 
their  ordinary  pursuits. 

"  Here  indeed  is  a  change !"  the  young  officer 
exclaimed,  as  they  glided  swiftly  along  this  deso 
late  scene;  "even  my  recollections,  young  and 
fading  as  they  are,  recall  tfcie  difference  !" 

The  stranger  made  no  reply,  but  a  smile  of  sin 
gular  meaning  gleamed  across  his  wan  features, 
imparting,  by  the  moonlight,  to  their  remarkable 
expression,  a  character  of  additional  wildness. 
The  officer  was  again  silent,  nor  did  either  speak 
until  the  boat,  having  shot  by  the  end  of  the  long 
Wharf,  across  whose  naked  boundaries  a  sentinel 
was  pacing  his  measured  path,  inclined  more  to 
ihe  shore,  and  soon  reached  the  place  of  its 
destination. 

Whatever  might  have  been  the  respective  feel 
ings  of  the  two  passengers  at  having  thus  reached  in 
safety  the  object  of  their  tiresome  and  protracted 
voyage,  they  were  not  expressed  in  language.  The 
old  man  bared  his  silver  locks,  and  concealing  his 
face  with  his  hat,  stood  as  if  in  deep  mental  thanks 
giving  at  the  termination  of  his  toil,  while  his 
more  youthful  companion  trod  the  wharf  on  which 
they  landed  with  the  air  of  a  man  whose  emotions 
were  too  engrossing  for  the  ordinary  use  of  words. 

"  Here  we  must  part,  sir,"  the  officer  at  length 
said;  "  but  I  trust  the  acquaintance  which  has  been 
thus  accidentally  formed  between  us,  is  not  to  be 
forgotten  now  there  is  an  end  to  our  common  pri 
vations." 

"  It  is  not  in  the  power  of  a  man  whose  days,  like 
mine,  are  numbered,"  returned  the  stranger,  "  to 
mock  the  liberality  of  his  God,  by  any  vain  pro 
mises  that  must  depend  on  time  for  their  fulfilment. 
I  am  one,  young  gentleman3  who  has  returned  from 


10  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

a  sad,  sad  pilgrimage  in  the  other  hemisphere,  to 
lay  his  bones  in  this,  his  native  land  ;  but  should 
many  hours  be  granted  me,  you  will  hear  further 
of  the  man  whom  your  courtesy  and  kindness  have 
so  greatly  obliged." 

The  officer  was  sensibly  affected  by  the  softened 
but  solemn  manner  of  his  companion,  and  pressed 
liis  wasted  hand  fervently  as  he  answered — 

"Do;  I  ask  it  as  a  singular  favour;  I  know 
not  why,  but  you  have  obtained  a  command  of  my 
feelings  that  no  other  being  ever  yet  possessed — 
and  yet — 'tis  a  mystery,  'tis  like  a  dream!  1  feel 
that  I  not  only  venerate,  but  love  you  !" 

The  old  man  stepped  back,  and  held  the  youth  at 
the  length  of  his  arm  for  a  moment,  while  he  fast 
ened  on  him  a  look  of  glowing  interest,  and  then 
raising  his  hand  slowly,  he  pointed  impressively 
Upward,  and  said — 

"  'Tis  from  heaven,  and  for  God's  own  pur 
poses — smother  not  the  sentiment,  boy,  but  cherish 
it  in  your  heart's  core  !" 

The  reply  of  the  youth  was  interrupted  by 
sudden  and  violent  shrieks,  that  burst  rudely  on 
the  stillness  of  the  place,  chilling  the  very  blood 
of  those  who  heard  them,  with  their  piteousness. 
The  quick  and  severe  blows  of  a  lash  were, blended 
^vith  the  exclamations  of  the  sufferer,  and  rude 
oaths,  with  hoarse  execrations,  from  various  voices, 
were  united  in  the  uproar,  which  appeared  to  be  at 
no  great  distance.  By  a  common  impulse,  the 
\vhole  party  broke  away  from  the  spot,  and  moved 
yapi'lly  up  the  wharf  in  the  direction  of  the  sounds. 
As  they  approached  the  buildings,  a  group  was 
Seen  collected  around  the  man  who  thus  broke  the 
charm  of  evening  by  his  cries,  interrupting  his 
\vailings  with  their  ribaldry,  and  encouraging  his 
tormentors  to  proceed. 


LIONEL  LINCOLN.  ll 

"  Merey,  mercy,  for  the  sake  of  the  blessed  God, 
have  mercy,  and  don't  kill  Job  !"  again  shrieked 
the  sufferer;  "Job  will  run  your  a'r'nds !  Job  is 
half-witted  !  Mercy  on  poor  Job  !  Oh!  you  make 
his  flesh  creep  !" 

"  I'll  cut  the  heart  from  the  mutinous  knave,*' 
interrupted  a  hoarse,  angry  voice ;  "  to  refuse  to 
drink  the  health  of  his  majesty  !" 

"  Job  does  wish  him  good  health — Job  loves  the 
king,  only  Job  don't  love  rum." 

The  officer  had  approached  so  nigh  as  to  per 
ceive  that  the  whole  scene  was  one  of  disorder 
and  abuse,  and  pushing  aside  the  crowd  of  excited 
and  deriding  soldiers,  who  composed  the  throng, 
he  broke  at  once  into  the  centre  of  the  circle. 


CHAPTER  II. 

> 

•'They'll  have  me  whipped  for  speaking  true ; 

"  Thoul't  have  me  whipped  for  lying; 

"  And  sometimes  I'm  whipped  for  holding  my  peace. 

•'  I  had  rather  be  any  kind  of  a  thing 

•'Than  a  fool."  Lear' 

"WHAT   means  this  outcry?"   demanded  the 
young  man,  arresting  the  arm   of  an   infuriate 
ioldier  who  was  inflicting  the  bows;  "by  what 
authority  is  this  man  thus  abused  ? 

«  Bv  what  authority  dare  you  to  lay  hands  on  a 
British  grenadier!"  cried  the  fellow  turning  in 
his  fury,  and  raising  his  lash  against  the  supposed 
townsman.  But  when,  as  the  officer  stepped  aside 
to  avoid  the  threatened  indignity,  the  fight  of  the 
moon  fell  full  upon  his  glittering  dress,  through 
the  opening  folds  of  his  cloak  the  arm  of  he 
brutal  soldier  was  held  suspended  in  air,  with  the 
surprise  of  the  discovery. 

"Answer,  I  bid  you,"  contmned  the  young  offi 
cer,  his  frame  shaking  with  passion  ;  «  why  is  this 
man  tormented,  and  of  what  regiment  are  ye  ? 

«We  belong  to  the  grenadiers  of  the   brave 
47th  your  honour,"  returned  one  of  the  bystan 
ders'  in  a  humble,  deprecating  tone,  "  and  we  was- 
just  'polishing  this  'ere  natural,  because  as  he  re- 
fases  to  drink  the  health  of  his  majesty. 

-He's  a  scornful  sinner,  that  don't  fear  his 
Maker,"  cried  the  man  in  duresse,  eagerly  b 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  13 

ing  his  face,  down  which   big  tears  were  roll- 
ing,  towards  his  protector.     «  Job  loves  the  kin? 
but  Job  don't  love  rum  !" 

The  officer  turned  away  from  the  cruel  spec 
tacle,  as  he  bid  the  men  untie  their  prisoner. 
Knives  and  fingers  were  instantly  put  in  requisi 
tion,  and  the  man  was  liberated,  and  suffered  to 
resume  his  clothes.  During  this  operation,  the 
tumult  and  bustle  which  had  so  recently  dis 
tinguished  the  riotous  scene,  were  succeeded  by 
a  stillness  that  rendered  the  hard  breathing  of  the 
suite rer  painfully  audible. 

"  Now  sirs,  you  heroes  of  the  47th !"  said  the 
young  man,  when  the  victim  of  their  rage  was 
again  clad,  "  know  you  this  button  ?"  The  sol- 
:r  to  whom  this  question  was  more  particularly 
addressed,  gazed  at  the  extended  arm,  and,  to  his 
vast  discomfiture,  he  beheld  the  magical  number 
)t  ins  own  regiment  reposing  on  the  well-known 
white  facings  that  decorated  the  rich  scarlet  of  the 
vestment.  No  one  presumed  to  answer  this  appeal 
and  after  an  impressive  silence  of  a  few  moments' 
he  continued — 

"Ye  are  noble  supporters  of  the  well-earned  fame 
of  Wolfe  s  own  !'  fit  successors  to  the  gallant  men 
who  conquered  under  the  walls  of  Quebec  !  away 
with  ye  ;  to-morrow  it  shall  be  looked  to." 

"  I  hope  your  honour  will  remember  he  refused 
his  majesty's  health.  I'm  sure,  sir,  that  if  colonel 
iNesbitt  was  here  himself— 

"  Dog  !  do  you  dare  to  hesitate  !  go,  while 
you  have  permission  to  depart." 

The  disconcerted  soldiery,  whose  turbulence 
iiad  thus  van.shed,  as  if  by  enchantment,  before 
the  frown  of  their  superior,  slunk  away  in  a  body, 
lew  of  the  older  men  whispering  to  their  com 
rades  the  name  of  the  officer  who  had  thus  unex 
pectedly  appeared  in  the  midst  of  them.  The 

VOL.    I. 


14  LIONEL   LIXCOLK. 

angry  eye  of  the  young  soldier  followed  their  re» 
tiring  forms,  while  a  man  of  them  was  visible; 
after  which,  turning  to  an  elderly  citizen,  who,  sup 
ported  on  a  crutch,  had  been  a  spectator  of  the 
scene,  he  asked — 

"  Know  you  the  cause  of  the  cruel  treatment 
this  poor  man  has  received  ?  or  what  in  any 
manner  has  led  to  the  violence  ?" 

"  The  boy  is  weak,"  returned  the  cripple ; 
"  quite  an  innocent,  who  knows  but  little  good,  but 
does  no  harm.  The  soldiers  have  been  carousing 
in  yonder  dram-shop,  and  they  often  get  the  poor 
lad  in  with  them,  and  sport  with  his  infirmity.  If 
these  sorts  of  doings  an't  checked,  I  fear  much 
trouble  will  grow  out  of  them  !  Hard  laws  from 
t'other  side  of  the  water,  and  tarring  and  feathering 
on  this,  with  gentlemen  like  colonel  Nesbitlat  their 
head,  will"— 

"  It  is  wisest  for  us,  my  friend,  to  pursue  thi- 
subject  no  further,"  interrupted  the  officer ;  "  I 
belong  myself  to  '  Wolfe's  own,'  and  will  en 
deavour  to  see  justice  done  in  the  matter;  as  you 
will  credit,  when  I  tell  you  that  I  am  a  Boston 
boy.  But  though  a  native,  a  long  absence  ha? 
obliterated  the  marks  of  the  town  from  my  me 
mory  ;  and  I  am  at  a  loss  to  thread  these  crooked 
streets.  Know  you  the  dwelling  of  Mrs.  Leeh- 
mere  ?" 

"  The  house  is  well  known  to  all  in  Boston/' 
Returned  the  cripple,  in  a  voice  sensibly  altered  by 
the  information  that  he  was  speaking  to  a  towns 
man.  "Job,  here,  does  but  little  else  than  run  of 
errands,  and  he  will  show  you  the  way  out  of 
gratitude  ;  wont  you  Job  r" 

The  idiot,  for  the  vacant  eye  and  unmeanJHg, 
boyish  countenance  of  the  young  man  who  had 
just  been  liberated,  but  too  plainly  indicated  that 
lie  was  to  be  included  in  that  miserable  class  or* 
human  beinjgs,  answered  with  a  caution  and  re- 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  15* 

Juctance  that  were  a  little  remarkable,  consider 
ing  the  recent  circumstances. 

•  "  Ma'am  Lechmere's  !    Oh!  yes,  Job    knows 
the  way,  and  could  go  there  blindfolded,  if — if — " 

';  If  what,  you  simpleton !"  exclaimed  the 
zealous  cripple. 

"  VVHy,  if  'twas  daylight." 

"  Blindfolded,  and  daylight !  do  but  hear  the 
silly, child!  come,  Job,  you  must  take  this  gen 
tleman  to  Tremont-street,  without  further  words. 
'Tis  but  just  sundown,  boy,  and  you  can  go  there 
and  be  home  and  in  your  bed  before  the  Old 
South  strikes  eight !" 

"  Yes ;  that  all  depends  on  which  way  you 
.go,"  returned  the  reluctant  changeling.  "Now,  I 
know,  neighbour  Hopper,  you  couldn't  go  to 
Ma'am  Lechmere's  in  an  hour,  if  you  went  along 
Lynn-street,  and  so  along  Prince-street,  and  back 
through  Snow-Hill ;  and  especially  if  you  should 
Stop  any  time  to  look  at  the  graves  on  Copps." 

"  Pshaw !  the  fool  is  in  one  of  his  sulks  now, 
with  his  Copps-Hill,  and  the  graves !"  interrupted 
the  cripple,  whose  heart  had  wanned  to  his  youth 
ful  townsman,  and  who  would  have  volunteered  to 
show  the  way  himself,  had  his  infirmities  permit 
ted  the  exertion.  "  The  gentleman  must  call  the 
grenadiers  back,  to  bring  the  child  to  reason." 

"  'Tis  quite  unnecessary  to  be  harsh  with  the  un 
fortunate  lad,"  said  the  young  soldier;  "my  recol 
lections  will  probably  aid  me  as  I  advance  ;  and 
should  they  not,  I  can  inquire  of  any  passenger 
I  meet." 

'"  If  Boston  was  what  Boston  has  been,  you 
might  ask  such  a  question  of  a  civil  inhabitant,  at 
any  corner;"  said  the  cripple;  "  but  it's  rare  to  see 
many  of  our  people  in  the  streets  at  this  hour, 
since  the  massacre.  Besides,  it  is  Saturday  night, 
you  know;  a  fit  time  for  these  rioters  to  choose 
for  their  revelries !  For  that  matter,  the  soldiers 


16  LIONEL    LINCOLN*. 

have  grown  more  insolent  than  ever,  since  they  have 
met  that  disappointment  about  the  cannon  down 
at  Salem ;  but  I  needn't  tell  such  as  you  what  the 
soldiers  are  when  they  get  a  little  savage." 

"I  know  my  comrades  but  indifferently  well, 
if  their  conduct  to  night  be  any  specimen  of  their 
ordinary  demeanour,  sir,"  returned  the  officer; 
"  but  follow,  Meriton;  I  apprehend  no  great  diffi 
culty  in  qur  path." 

The  pliant  valet  lifted  the  cloakr-bag  he  carried, 
from  the  ground,  and  they  were  about  to  proceed^, 
when  the  natural  edged  himself  in  a  sidelong,  slo 
venly  manner,  nigher  to  the  gentleman,  and  looked 
earnestly  up  in  his  face  for  a  moment,  where  he 
seemed  to  be  gathering  confidence,  to  say — "  Job 
will  show  the  officer  Ma'am  Lechmere's.  if  the  offi 
cer  wont  let  the  grannies  catch  Job  afore  he  gets  off 
the  North  End  ag'in." 

"  Ah  !"  said  the  young  man.  laughing,  "  there 
is  something  of  the  cunning  of  a  fool  in  that  ar 
rangement.  Well,  I  accept  the  conditions;  but 
beware  how  you  take  me  to  contemplate  the  graves 
by  moonlight,  or  I  shall  deliver  you  not  only  to 
the  grannies,  but  to  the  light  infantry,  artillery, 
and  all." 

With  this  good-natured  threat,  the  officer  fol 
lowed  his  nimble  conductor,  after  taking  a  friend 
ly  leave  of  the  obliging  cripple,  who  continued 
his  admonitions  to  the  natural,  not  to  wander  from 
the  direct  route,  while  the  sounds  of  his  voice 
were  audible  to  the  retiring  party.  The  progress 
of  his  guide  was  so  rapid  as  to  require  the  young 
officer  to  confine  his  survey  of  the  narrow  and 
crooked  streets  through  which  they  passed,  to  ex 
tremely  hasty  and  imperfect  glances.-  No  very 
minute  observation,  however,  was  necessary  to 
perceive  that  he  was  led  along  one  of  the  most 
filthy  and  inferior  sections  of  the  town ;  and  where, 
notwithstanding  his  efforts,  he  found  it  impossible 


LIONEL   LINCOLS".  It 

to  recall  a  single  feature  of  his  native  place  to  his 
remembrance.  The  complaints  of  Meriton,  who 
followed  close  at  the  heels  of  his  master,  were 
loud  and  frequent,  until  the  gentleman,  a  little 
doubting  the  sincerity  of  his  intractable  conductor, 
exclaimed — 

"  Have  you  nothing  better  than  this  to  show  a 
townsman,  who  has  been  absent  seventeen  years, 
on  his  return  !  Pray  let  us  go  through  some  better 
streets  than  this,  if  any  there  are  in  Boston  which 
can  be  called  better." 

The  lad  stopped  short,  and  looked  up  in  the 
face  of  the  speaker,  for  ah  instant,  with  an  air  of 
Undisguised  amazement,  and  then,  without  re 
plying,  he  changed  the  direction  of  his  route,  and 
after  one  or  two  more  deviations  in  his  path,  sud 
denly  turning  again,  he  glided  up  an  alley,  so  nar- 
TOW  that  the  passenger  might  touch  the  buildings 
on  either  side  of  him.  The  officer  hesitated  an 
instant  to  enter  this  dark  and  crooked  passage, 
Taut  perceiving  that  his  guide  was  already  hid  by  a 
bend  in  the  houses,  he  quickened  his  steps,  and 
immediately  regained  the  ground  he  had  lost. 
They  soon  emerged  from  the  obscurity  of  the 
place,  and  issued  on  a  street  of  greater  width. 

"There!"  said  Job,  triumphantly,  when  they 
had  effected  this  gloomy  passage,  "  does  the  king 
live  in  so  crooked  and  narrow  a  street  as  that !" 

"  His  majesty  must  yield  the  point  in  your 
favour,"  returned  the  officer. 

"  Ma'am  Lechmere  is  a  grand  lady!"  continued 
the  lad,  seemingly  following  the  current  of  his 
own  fanciful  conceits,  "  and  she  wouldn't  live 
in  that  alley  for  the  world,  though  it  is  narrow, 
like  the  road  to  heaven,  as  old  Nab  says;  I  suppose 
they  call  it  after  the  Methodies  for  that  reason." 

"I  have  heard  the  road  you  mention  termed 
narrow,  certainly,  but  it  is  also  called  strait,"  rei- 

3* 


!18  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

turned  the  officer,  a  little  amused  with  the  humour 
of  the  lad;  "but  forward,  the  time  is  slipping 
away,  and  we  loiter." 

Again  Job  turned,  and  moving  onward,  he  led 
the  way,  with  swift  steps,  along  another  narrow 
and  crooked  path,  which,  however,  better  deserv 
ed  the  name  of  a  street,  under  the  projecting  sto 
ries  of  the  wooden  buildings,  which  lined  its  sides. 
After  following  the  irregular  windings  of  their 
route  for  some  distance,  they  entered  a  triangular 
area,  of  a  few  rods  in  extent,  where  Job,  disregard 
ing  the  use  of  the  narrow  walk,  advanced  direct 
ly  into  the  centre  of  the  open  space.  Here  he 
stopped  once  more,  and  turning  his  vacant  face 
with  an  air  of  much  seriousness,  towards  a  building 
which  composed  one  side  of  the  triangle,  he  said, 
with  a  voice  that  expressed  his  own  deep  admira 
tion — 

"There — that's  the  '  old  North  !'  did  you  ever 
see  such  a  meetin'us'  afore !  dors  the  king  wor 
ship  God  in  such  a  temple !" 

The  officer  did  not  chide  the  idle  liberties  of  the 
fool,  for  in  the  antiquated  and  quaint  architecture 
of  the  wooden  edifice,  he  recognized  one  of  those 
early  effort's  of  the  simple,  puritan  builder*,  whose 
rude  tastes  have  been  transmitted  to  their  posterity 
with  so  many  deviations  in  the  style  €F  the  same 
school,  but   so  little  of  improvement.    Blended 
with  these  considerations,  were  the  dawnings  of 
revived  recollections;  and  he  smiled,  as  he  recall 
ed  the  time  when  he  also  used  to  look  up  at  the 
building  with  feelings  somewhat  allied  to  the  pro 
found  admiration  of  the  idiot.     Job  watched  his 
countenance  narrowly,  and  easily  mistaking  its 
expression,  he  extended  his  arm  toward  one  of 
the  narrowest   of  the  avenues  that  entered  the 
area,  where  stood  a  few  houses  of  more  than  com* 
mon  pretension. 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  J9 

"  And  there  ag'in !"  he  continued,  "  there's 
palaces  for  you !  stingy  Tommy  lived  in  the  one 
with  the  pile-axters,  and  the  flowers  hanging  to 
their  tops  ;  and  see  the  crowns  on  them  too  !  stin 
gy  Tommy  loved  crowns,  they  say;  but  Pro- 
vince'us'  wasn't  good  enough  for  him,  and  he  lived 
here — no\\  they  say  he  lives  in  one  of  the  king's 
cupboards !" 

"  And  who  was  stingy  Tommy,  and  what  right 
had  he  to  dwell  in  Province- House,  if  he  would  ?" 

"  What  right  has  any  governor  to  live  in  Pro- 
vince'us' !  because  its  the  king's !  though  the 
people  paid  for  it." 

"  Pray,  sir,  excuse  me,"  said  Meriton,  from 
behind,  "  but  do  the  Americans  usually  call  all 
their  governors  stingy  Tommies  ?" 

The  officer  turned  his  head,  at  this  vapid  ques 
tion,  from  his  valet,  and  perceived  that  he  had 
been  accompanied  thus  far  by  the  aged  stranger, 
•who  stood  at  his  elbow,  leaning  on  his  staff, 
studying  with  close  attention  the  late  dwelling  of 
Hulchinson,  while  the  light  of  the  moon  fell?  un 
obstructed,  on  the  deep  lines  of  his  haggard  face. 
During  the  first  surprise  of  this  discovery,  he  for 
got  to  reply,  and  Job  took  the  vindication  of  his 
language  into  his  own  hands. 

"  To  be  &re  they  do — they  call  people  by  their 
right  names,"  he  said.  "  Insygn  Peck  is  called 
Insygn  Peck ;  and  you  call  Deacon  Winslow  any 
thing  but  Deacon  VVinslow,  and  see  what  a  look 
he'll  give  you!  and  I  am  Job  Pray,  so  called;  and 
why  shouldn't  a  governor  be  called  stingy  Tom 
my,  if  he  is  a  stingy  Tommy  ?" 

"  Be  careful  how  you  speak  lightly  of  the  king's 
representative,"  said  the  young  officer,  raising  his 
light  cane  with  the  affectation  of  correcting  the 
changeling. — "  Forget  you  that  I  am  a  soldier  f " 

The  idiot  shrunk  back  a  little,  timidly,  and  then 
leering  from  under  his  sunken  brow,  he  answered — 


29  LIONETL   LINCOLN. 

"I  heard  you  say  you  were  a  Boston   boyV 

The  gentleman  was  about  to  make  a  playful 
reply,  when  the  aged  stranger  passed  swiftly  be 
fore  him,  and  took  his  stand  at  the  side  of  the 
lad,  with  a  manner  so  remarkable  for  its  earnest 
ness,  that  it  entirely  changed  the  current  of  his 
thoughts. 

"  The  young  man  knows  the  ties  of  blood  and 
country,"  the  stranger  muttered,  "and  I  honour 
bim  !" 

It  might  have  been  the  sudden  recollection  of 
the  danger  of  those  allusions,  which  the  officer  so 
well  understood,  and  to  which  his  accidental  asso 
ciation  with  the  singular  being  who  uttered  them, 
had  begun  to  familiarize  his  ear,  that  induced  the 
youth  to  resume  his  walk,  silently,  and  in  deep 
thought,  along  the  street.  By  this  movement,  he 
escaped  observing  the  cordial  grasp  of  the  hand 
which  the  old  stranger  bestowed  on  the  idiot, 
while  he  muttered  a  few  more  terms  of  commenda 
tion.  Job  soon  took  his  station  in  front,  and  the 
whole  party  moved  on,  again,  though  with  less 
rapid  strides.  As  the  lad  advanced  deeper  into 
the  town,  he  evidently  wavered  once  or  twice  in 
his  choice  of  streets,  and  the  officer  began  to  sus 
pect  that  the  changeling  contemplated  one  of  lijs 
wild  circuits,  to  avoid  the  direct  route  to  a  house 
that  he  manifestly  approached  with  great  reluc 
tance.  Once  or  twice  the  young  soldier  looked 
about  him,  intending  to  inquire  the  direction,  of 
the  first  passenger  he  might  see  ;  but  the  quiet  of 
deep  night  already  pervaded  the  place,  and  not  an 
individual  but  those  who  accompanied  him,  ap 
peared  in  the  long  ranges  of  streetsthey  had  passed. 
The  air  of  the  guide  was  becoming  so  dogged, 
and  hesitating,  that  his  follower  had  just  deter 
mined  to  make  an  application  at  one  of  the 
doors,  when  they  emerged  from  a  dark,  dirty,  and 
gloomy  street,  on  an  open  space,  of  much  greater 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  21 

extent  than  the  one  they  had  so  recently  left.  Pass 
ing  under  the  walls  of  a  blackened  dwelling,  Job  led 
the  way  to  the  centre  of  a  swinging  bridge,  which 
was  thrown  across  an  inlet  from  the  harbour,  that 
extended  a  short  distance  into  the  area,  forming  a 
shallow  dock.  Here  he  took  his  stand,  arid  allow 
ed  the  view  of  the  surrounding  objects  to  work  its 
own  effect  on  those  he  had  conducted  thither.  The 
square  was  composed  of  rows  of  low,  gloomy,  and 
irregular  houses,  most  of  which  had  the  appearance 
of  being  but  little  used.  Stretching  from  the  end  of 
the  basin,  and  a  little  on  one  side,  a  long,  narrow 
edifice,  ornamented  with  pilasters,  perforated  with 
arched  windows,  and  surmounted  by  a  humble 
cupola,  reared  its  walls  of  brick,  under  the  light 
of  the  moon.  The  story  which  held  the  rows  of 
silent,  glistening  windows,  was  supported  .on  abut 
ments  and  arches  of  the  same  material,  through 
the  narrow  vistas  of  which  were  to  be  seen  the 
shambles  of  the  common  market-place.  Heavy 
cornices  of  stone  were  laid  above  and  beneath  the 
pilasters,  and  something  more  than  the  unskilful 
architecture  of  the  dwelling  houses  they  had  pass 
ed,  was  affected  throughout  the  whole  structure. 
While  the  officer  gazed  at  this  scene,  the  idiot 
watched  his  countenance  with  a  keenness  exceed 
ing  his  usual  observation,  until  impatient  at  hear 
ing  no  words  of  pleasure  or  of  recognition,  he  ex 
claimed — 

"l!  you  don't  know  Funnel-Hall,  you  are  no 
Boston  boy !" 

"  But  I  do  know  Fanueil-Hall,  and  I  am  a  Bos 
ton  boy,"  returned  the  amused  gentleman ;  "  the 
place  begins  to  freshen  on  my  memory,  and  I  now 
recall  the  scenes  of  my  childhood." 

"This,  then,"  said  .the  aged  stranger,  "isthespot 
where  liberty  has  found  so  many  bold  advocates  !" 

"  It  would  do  the  king's  heart  good  to  hear  the 
people  talk  in  old  Funnel,  sometimes,"  said  Job  j. 


22  LIONEL   LINCOLN, 

"I  was  on  the  cornishes,  and  looked  into  the  wift- 
ders,  the  last  town-meetin'-da',  and  if  there  was 
soldiers  on  the  common,  there  was  them  in  the  hall 
that  did'nt  care  for  them  !" 

"  All  this  is  very  amusing,  no  doubt,"  said  the 
Officer,  gravely,  "  but  it  does  not  advance  me  a 
foot  on  my  \vay  to  Mrs.  Lech  mere's." 

"  It  is  also  instructing,"  exclaimed  the  stranger : 
"  go  on,  child  ;  I  love  to  hear  his  simple  feelings 
thus  expressed  ;  they  indicate  the  state  of  the  pub' 
lie  mind." 

"  Why,"  said  Job,  "  they  \vere  plain  spoken, 
that's  all,  and  it  would  be  better  for  the  king  to 
come  over,  and  hear  them — it  would  pull  dowu 
his  pride,  and  make  him  pity  the  people,  and  then 
he  wouldn't  think  of  shutting  up  .Boston  harbour. 
Suppose  he  should  stop  the  water  from  coming  in 
by  the  narrows,  why  we  should  get  it  by  Broad 
Sound  !  and  if  it  didn't  come  by  Broad  Sound,  it 
would  by  Nantasket !  He  needn't  think  that  the 
Boston  folks  are  so  dumU  as  to  be  cheated  out  of 
God's  water  by  acts  of  Parliament,  while  old  Fun 
nel  stands  in  the  dock  square !" 

"  Sirrah!"  exclaimed  the  officer,  a  little  angri-* 
ly,  "  we  have  already  loitered  until  the  clocks 
are  striking  eight." 

The  idiot  lost  his  animation,  and  lowered  io 
liis  looks  again,  as  he  answered — 

"  Well,  I  told  neighbour  Hopper  there  was 
more  ways  to  ma'am  Lechmere's  than  straight 
forward  !  but  every  body  knows  Job's  business 
better  than  Job  himself!  now  you  make  me  for- 

fet  the  road ;    let  us  go  in  and  ask  old  Nab,  she 
nows  the  way  too  well !" 
"  Old  Nab !  you  wilful  dolt !    who  is  Nab,  and 

have  I  to  do  with  any  but  yourself  r" 
"  Every  body  in  Boston  knows  Abigail  Pray." 
"  What  of  her  f"   asked  the  startling   voice 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  K$ 

of  the  stranger;*"  what  of  Abigail  Pray,  boy;  is 
she  not  honest ?" 

"  Yes,  as  poverty  can  make  her,"  returned  the 
natural,  gloomily;  "  now  the  king  has  said  there 
shall  be  no  goods  but  tea  sent  to  Boston,  and  the 
people  won't  have  the  bohea,  its  easy  living  rent- 
free. — Nab  keeps  her  huckster-stuff  in  the  old 
ware'us',  and  a  good  place  it  is  too — Job  and 
his  mother  have  each  a  room  to  sleep  in,  and  they 
say  the  king  and  queen  haven't  more  !" 

While  he  was  speaking,  the  eyes  of  his  listeners 
were  drawn  by  his  gestures  toward  the  singular 
edifice  to  which  he  alluded.  Like  most  of  the 
others  adjacent  to  the  square,  it  was  low,  old. 
dirty,  and  dark.  Its  shape  was  triangular,  a 
street  bounding  it  on  each  side,  and  its  extremities 
were  flanked  by  as  many  low  hexagonal  towers, 
which  terminated,  like  the  main  building  itself,  in 
high  pointed  roofs,  tiled,  and  capped  with  rude  or 
naments.  Long  ranges  of  small  windows  were  to 
be  seen  in  the  dusky  walls,  through  one  of  which 
the  light  of  a  solitary  candle  was  glimmering,  the 
<?nly  indication  of  the.  presence  of  life  about  the 
silent  and  gloomy  building. 

"  Nab  knows  ma'am  Lcchmere  belter  lhaft 
Job,"  continued  the  idiot,  after  a  moment's  pause, 
"  and  she  will  know  whether  ma'am  Lech  mere  will 
have  Job  whipped  for  bringing  company  on  Satur 
day-night  ;  though  they  say  she's  so  full  of  scoffe- 
ry  as  to  talk,  drink  tea,  and  laugh  on  that  night, 
just  the  same  as  any  other  time." 

"  1  will  pledge  myself  to  her  courteous  treat 
ment,"  the  officer  replied,  beginning  to  be  weary  of 
the  fool's  delay. 

"  Let  us  see  this  Abigail  Pray,"  cried  the  aged 
stranger,  suddenly  seizing  Job  by  the  arm,  and  lead 
ing  him,  with  a  sort  of  irresistible  power,  toward 
the  walls  of  the  building,  through  one  of  the  low 
doors  of  which  they  immediately  disappeared. 


24  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

Thus  left  on  the  bridge,  with  his  valet,  the  young 
officer  hesitated  a  single  instant  how  to  act ;  but 
yielding  to  the  secret  and  powerful  interest  which 
the  stranger  had  succeeded  in  throwing  around  all 
liis  movements  and  opinions,  he  bid  Meriton  await 
his  return,  and  followed  his  guide  and  the  old 
man  into  the  cheerless  habitation  of  the  former. 
On  passing  the  outer  door  he  found  himself  in  a 
spacious,  but  rude  apartment,  which,  from  its  ap 
pearance,  as  well  as  from  the  few  articles  of  heavy 
but  valueless  merchandise  it  now  contained,  would 
seem  to  have  been  used  once  as  a  store-house. 
"The  light  drew  his  steps  toward  a  room  in  one  of 
the  towers,  where,  as  he  approached  its  open  door, 
he  heard  the  loud,  sharp  tones  of  a  woman's  voice, 
exclaiming — 

"  Where  have  you  been,  graceless,  this  Satur 
day-night!  tagging  at  the  heels  of  the  soldiers, 
or  gazing  at  the  men-of-war,  with  their  ungodly 
fashions  of  music  and  revelry  at  such  a  time,  I 
dare  to  say  !  and  you  knew  that  a  ship  was  in  the 
bay,  and  that  madam  Lechmere  had  desired  me 
to  send  her  the  first  notice  of  its  arrival.  Here 
have  I  been  waiting  for  you  to  go  up  to  Tremont- 
street  since  sun-down,  with  the  news,  and  you  are 
out  of  call — you,  that  know  so  well  who  it  is  she 
expects  !" 

"  Don't  be  cross  to  Job,  mother,  for  the  grannies 
have  been  cutting  his  back  with  cords,  till  the  blood 
runs !  ma'am  Lechmere  !  I  do  believe,  mother,  that 
ma'am  Lechmere  has  moved;  for  I've  been  trying 
to  find  her  house  this  hour,  because  there's  a  gen 
tleman  who  landed  from  the  ship  wanted  Job  to 
show  him  the  way." 

"  What  means  the  ignorant  boy !"  exclaimed 
his  mother. 

"  He  alludes  to  me,"  said  the  officer,  entering 
the  apartment;  "  I  am  the  person,  if  any,  expected 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  ,  25 

by  Mrs.  Lechmere,  and  have  just  landed  from  the 
Avon,  of  Bristol;,  but  your  son  has  led  me  a  cir 
cuitous  path,  indeed ;  at  one  time  he  spoke  of 
visiting  the  graves  on  Copps-Hill." 

"Excuse  the  ignorant  and  witless  child,  sir,"  ex 
claimed  the  matron,  eyeing  the  young  man  keen 
ly  through  her  spectacles ;  "  he  knows  the  way  as 
well  as  to  his  own  bed,  but  he  is  wilful  at  times. 
This  will  be  a  joyful  night  in  Tremont-street ! 
So  handsome,  and  so  stately  too !  excuse  me. 
young  gentleman,"  she  added,  raising  the  candle 
to  his  features  with  an  evident  unconsciousness  of 
the  act — "  he  has  the  sweet  smile  of  the  mother, 
and  the  terrible  eye  of  his  father!  God  forgive  us 
all  our  sins,  and  make  us  happier  in  another  world 
than  in  this  place  of  evil  and  wickedness !"  As 
she  muttered  the  latter  words,  the  woman  set  aside 
her  candle  with  an  air  of  singular  agitation. 
Each  syllable,  notwithstanding  her  secret  inten 
tion,  was  heard  by  the  officer,  across  whose  coun 
tenance  there  passed  a  sudden  gloom  that  doubled 
its  sad  expression.  He,  however,  said — 

"  You  know  me,  and  my  family,  then." 

"I  was  at  your  birth,  young  gentleman,  and 
a  joyful  birth  it  was !  but  madam  Lechmere 
waits  for  the  news,  and  my  unfortunate  child 
shall  speedily  conduct  you  to  her  door;  she  will 
tell  you  all  that  it  is  proper  to  know.  Job,  you 
Job,  where  are  you  getting  to,  in  that  corner  ! 
take  your  hat,  and  show  the  gentleman  to  Tre 
mont-street  directly;  you  know,  my  son,  you 
love  to  go  to  madam  Lechmere's !" 

u  Job  would  never  go,  if  Job  could  help  it," 
muttered  the  sullen  boy  ;  "  and  if  Nab  had  never 
gone,  'twould  have  been  better  for  her  soul." 

"  Do  you  dare,  disrespectful  viper !"  exclaim 
ed  the  angry  quean,  seizing,  in  the  violence  of 

VOL.  i.  4 


26  LIONEL  LINCOLN. 

her  fury,  the  tongs,  and  threatening  the  head  of 
her  stubborn  child. 

"  Woman,  peace  !"  said  a  voice  behind. 

The  dangerous  weapon  fell  from  the  nerveless 
hand  of  the  vixen,  and  the  hues  of  her  yellow 
and  withered  countenance  changed  to  the  white 
ness  of  death.  She  stood  motionless,  for  near  a 
minute,  as  if  riveted  to  the  spot  by  a  super 
human  power,  before  she  succeeded  in  mutter 
ing,  u  who  speaks  to  me  r"  • 

"  It  is  I,"  returned  fche  stranger,  advancing 
from  the  shadow  of  the  door  into  the  dim  light 
of  the  candle ;  "  a  man  who  has  numbered  ages, 
and  who  knows,  that  as  God  loves  him,  so  is 
he  bound  to  love  the  children  of  his  loins." 

The  rigid  limbs  of  the  woman  lost  their  sta 
bility,  in  a  tremour  that  shook  every  fibre  in 
her  body  ;  she  sunk  in  her  chair,  and  her  eyes 
rolled  from  the  face  of  one  visiter  to  that  of 
the  other,  while  her  unsuccessful  efforts  to  utter, 
denoted  that  she  had  temporarily  lost  the  com 
mand  of  speech.  Job  stole  to  the  side  of  the 
stranger,  in  this  short  interval,  and  looking  up 
in  his  face  piteously,  he  said — 

"  Don't  hurt  old  Nab — read  that  good  saying 
to  her  out  of  the  Bible,  and  she'll  never  strike 
Job  with  the  tongs  ag'in ;  will  you,  mother  ? 
See  her  cup,  where  she  hid  it  under  the  towel, 
when  you  came  in !  ma'am  Lechmere  gives  her 
the  p'ison  tea  t<»  drink,  and  then  Nab  is  never 
so  good  to  Job,  as  Job  would  be  to  mother,  if 
mother  was  half-witted,  and  Job  was  old  Nab.'' 

The  stranger  considered  the  moving  counte 
nance  of  the  boy,  while  he  pleaded  thus  ear 
nestly  in  behalf  of  his  mother,  with  marked  at 
tention,  and  when  he  had  done,  he  stroked  the 
head  of  the  natural  compassionately,  and  said — 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  27 

"  Poor,  imbecile  child !  God  has  denied  the 
most  precious  of  his  gifts,  and  yet  his  spirit 
hovers  around  thee  ;  for  tbou  canst  distinguish  be 
tween  austerity  and  kindness,  and  thou  hast  learnt 
to  know  good  from  evil.  Young  man,  see  you  no 
moral  in  this  dispensation  !  Nothing,  which  says 
that  Providence  bestows  no  gift  in  vain  ;  while 
it  points  to  the  difference  between  the  duty  that 
is  fostered  by  indulgence,  and  that  which  is  ex 
torted  by  power !" 

The  officer  avoided  the  ardent  looks  of  the 
stranger,  and  after  an  embarrassing  pause  of  a 
moment,  he  expressed  his  readiness,  to  the  re 
viving  woman,  to  depart  on  his  way.  The  ma 
tron,  whose  eye  had  never  ceased  to  dwell  on 
the  features  of  the  old  man,  since  her  faculties 
were  restored,  arose  slowly,  and  in  a  feeble  voice, 
directed  her  son  to  show  the  road  to  Tremont- 
street.  She  had  acquired,  by  long  practice,  a 
manner  that  never  failed  to  control,  when  ne 
cessary,  the  wayward  humours  of  her  child,  and 
on  the  present  occasion,  the  unwonted  solemnity 
imparted  to  her  voice,  by  deep  agitation,  aided 
in  effecting  her  object.  Job  quietly  arose,  and 
prepared  himself  to  comply.  The  mariners  of 
the  whole  party  wore  a  restraint  which  impli 
ed  they  had  touched  on  feelings  that  it  would 
be  wiser  to  smother,  and  the  separation  would 
have  been  silent,  though  courteous,  on  the  part 
of  the  youth,  had  he  not  perceived  the  passage 
still  filled  by  the  motionless  form  of  the  stranger." 
"  You  will  precede  me,  sir,"  he  said ;  "  the 
hour  grows  late,  and  you,  too,  may  need  a 
guide  to  find  your  dwelling." 

"  To  me,  the  streets  of  Boston  have  long  been 
familiar,"  returned  the  old  man.  "  I  have  noted 
the  increase  of  the  town  as  a  parent  notes  the 
.'.ncreasing  stature  of  his  child ;  nor  is  my  love 


28  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

for  it  less  than  paternal.  It  is  enough  that  I  am 
within  its  limits,  where  liberty  is  prized  as  the 
greatest  good ;  and  it  matters  not  under  what 
roof  I  lay  my  head — this  will  do  as  well  as  an 
other." 

"  This !"  echoed  the  other,  glancing  his  eyes 
over  the  miserable  furniture,  and  scanning  the  air 
of  poverty  that  pervaded  the  place ;  "  why  this 
house  has  even  less  of  comfort  than  the  ship  we 
have  left !" 

"  It  has  enough  for  my  wants,"  said  the  stranger, 
seating  himself  with  composure,  and  deliberately 
placing  his  bundle  by  his  side.  "  Go  you  to  your 
palace,  in  Tiemont-street :  it  shall  be  my  care 
that  we  meet  again." 

The  officer  understood  the  character  of  his 
companion  too  well  to  hesitate,  and  bending  low, 
he  quitted  the  apartment,  leaving  the  other  leaning 
his  head  on  his  cane,  in  absent  musing,  while  the 
amazed  matron  was  gazing  at  her  unexpected 
guest,  with  a  wonder  that  was  not  unmingled 
with  dread. 


CHAPTER  III. 

iv'  From  silver  spouts  the  gratetul  liquors  glide, 
"  While  China's  earth  receives  the  smoking  tide  ; 
•"  At  once  they  gratify  their  scent  and  taste, 
"  And  frequent  cups  prolong  the  rich  repast-" 

Rape  oftlie  Lock. 

THE  recollection  of  the  repeated  admonitions 
of  his  mother,  served  to  keep  Job  to*  his  purpose. 
The  instant  the  officer  appeared,  he  held  his  way 
across  the  bridge,  and  after  proceeding  for  a  short 
distance*  further,  along  the  water's  edge,  they 
entered  a  broad  and  well  built  avenue,  which  led 
from  the  principal  wharf  into  the  upper  parts  of 
the  town.  Turning  up  this  street,  the  lad  was 
making  his  way,  with  great  earnestness,  when 
sounds  of  high  merriment  and  conviviality,  break 
ing  from  an  opposite  building,  caught  his  atten 
tion,  and  induced  him  to  pause. 

"  Remember  your  mother's  injunction,"  said  the 
officer;  "  what  see  you  in  that  tavern,  to  stare  at?" 

"  'Tis  the  British  Coffee-house  !"  said  Job,  sha 
king  his  head;  "yes,  any  body  might  know  that 
by  the  noise  they  make  in't  on  Saturday-night!  see, 
it's  filled  now,  with  Lord  Boot's  officers,  flaring 
afore  the  windows,  just  like  so  many  red  devils ; 
but  to-morrow,  when  the  Old  South  bell  rings, 
they'll  forget  their  Lord  and  maker,  every  sinner 
among  them !" 

"  Fellow!"    exclaimed  the  officer,  "  this  is  tres 
passing  too  far — proceed  to  Tremont-street,  or  • 
leave  me,  that  I  may,  at  once,  procure  another 
guide*" 

4* 


Sd  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

The  changeling  cast  a  look  aside  at  the  angry 
eye  of  the  other,  and  then  turned  and  proceeded,, 
muttering;  so  loud  as  to  be  overheard — 

"  Every  body  that's  raised  in  Boston  knows 
how  to  keep  Saturday-night ;  and  if  you're  a  Bos 
ton  boy,  you  should  love  Boston  ways." 

The  officer  did  not  reply,  and  as  they  now  pro 
ceeded  with  great  diligence,  they  soon  passed 
through  King  and  Queen-streets,  and  entered  that 
of  Tremont.  At  a  little  distance  from  the  turning, 
Job  stopped,  and  pointing  to  a  building  near  them, 
he  said — 

"  There ;  that  house  with  the  court-yard  afore 
it,  and  the  'pile-axters,  and  the  grand  looking 
door,  that's  ma'am  Lechmere's ;  and  every  body 
says  she's  a  grand  lady,  but  I  say  it  is  a  pity  she 
«sn't  a  better  woman." 

"  And  who  are  you,  that  ventures  thus  boldly  to 
speak  of  a  lady  so  much  your  superior  r" 

"  I !"  said  the  idiot,  looking  up  simply  into  the 
face  of  his  interrogator,  "  I  am  Job  Pray,  so 
called." 

"  Well,  Job  Pray,  here  is  a  crown  for  you. 
The  next  time  you  act  as  guide,  keep  more  to 
your  business. — I  tell  you  lad,  I  offer  a  crown." 

"  Job  don't  love  crowns — they  say  the  king 
wears  a  crown,  and  it  makes  him  flaunty  and 
proud  like." 

"  The  disaffection  must  have  spread  itself  wide 
indeed,  if  such  as  he  refuse  silver,  rather  than 
offend  their  principles !"  muttered  the  officer  to 
himself. — "Here  then  is  half  a  guinea,  if  you  like 
gold  better." 

The  natural  continued  kicking  a  stone  about 
with  bis  toes,  without  taking  his  hands  from  the 
pockets  where  he  wore  them  ordinarily,  with  a 
sort  of  idle  air,  as  he  peered  from  under  his 
douched  hat  at  (his  renewed  offer,  answering — 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  31 

"  You  wouldn't  let  the  grannies  whip  Job,  and 
Job  won't  take  your  money." 

"  Well  boy,  there  is  more  of  gratitude  in  that 
than  a  wiser  man  would  always  feel !  Come,  Meri- 
ton,  I  shall  meet  the  poor  fellow  again,  and  will 
not  forget  this.  I  commission  you  to  see  the  lad 
better  dressed,  in  the  beginning  of  the  week," 

"  Lord,  sir,"  said  the  valet,  "  if  it  is  your  plea 
sure,  most  certainly  ;  but  I  declare  I  don't  know  in 
what  style  I  should  dress  such  a  figure  and  counte 
nance,  to  make  any  thing  of  them !" 

"  Sir,  sir,"  cried  the  lad,  running  a  few  steps 
after  the  officer,  who  had  already  proceeded,  "  if 
you  won't  let  the  grannies  beat  Job  any  more,  Job 
will  always  show  you  the  way  through  Boston ; 
and  run  your  a'r'nds  too  !" 

"Poor  fellow  !  well,  1  promise  that  you  shall  not 
be  again  abused  by  any  of  the  soldiery.  Good  night, 
my  honest  friend — let  me  see  you  again." 

The  idiot  appeared  satisfied  with  this  assurance, 
for  he  immediately  turned,  and  gliding  along  the 
street  with  a  sort  of  shuffling  gait,  he  soon  disap 
peared  round  the  first  corner.  In  the  meantime  the 
young  officer  advanced  to  the  entrance  which  led 
into  the  court-yard  of  Mrs.  Lechmere's  dwelling. 
The  house  was  of  bricks,  and  of  an  exterior 
altogether  more  pretending  than  most  of  those 
in  the  lower  parts  of  the  town.  It  was  heavily 
ornamented,  in  wood,  according  to  the  taste  of  a 
somewhat  earlier  day,  and  presented  a  front  of 
seven  windows  in  its  two  upper  stories,  those  at 
the  extremes  being  much  narrower  than  the  others. 
The  lower  floor  had  the  same  arrangement,  with 
the  exception  of  the  principal  door. 

Strong  lights  were  shining  in  many  parts  of  the 
iiouse,  winch  gave  it,  in  comparison  with  the 
gloomy  and  darkened  edifices  in  its  vicinity,  an 
air  of  peculiar  gaiety  and  life.  The  rap  of  the  gen 
tleman  was  answered  instantly  by  an  old  black. 


82  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

dressed  in  a  becoming,  and  what,  for  tbe  colonies, 
was,  a  rich  livery.  The  inquiry  for  Mrs.  Lech- 
mere  was  successful,  and  the  youth  conducted 
through  a  hall  of  some  dimensions,  into  an  apart 
ment  which  opened  from  one  of  its  sides.  This 
room  would  be  considered,  at  the  present  day,  as- 
much  too  small  to  contain  the  fashion  of  a  countn 
town;  but  what  importance  it  wanted  in  size,  was 
amply  compensated  for  ui  the  richness  and  labour 
of  its  decorations.  The"  walls  were  divided  into 
compartments,  by  raised  panel-work,  beautifully 
painted  with  imaginary  landscapes  and  ruins.  The 
glittering,  varnished  surfaces  of  these  pictures  were 
burthened  with  armorial  bearings,  which  were 
intended  to  illustrate  the  alliances  of  the  family. 
Beneath  the  surbase  were  smaller  divisions  of 
panels,  painted  witb  various  architectural  devices; 
and  above  it  rose,  between  the  compartments, 
iluted  pilasters  of  wood,  with  gilded  capitals. 
A  heavy  wooden,  and  highly  ornamented  cornice, 
stretched  above  the  whole,  furnishing  an  appropri 
ate  outline  to  the  walls.  The  use  of  carpets  was,  at 
that  time,  but  little  known  in  the  colonies,  though 
the  wealth  and  station  of  Mrs.  Lechmere  would 
probably  have  introduced  the  luxury,  had  not 
her  age,  and  the  nature  of  the  building,  tempted 
her  to  adhere  to  ancient  custom.  The  floor, 
which  shone  equally  with  the  furniture,  was  tessel 
lated  with  small  alternate  squares  of  red-cedar  and 
pine,  and  in  the  centre  wen-  the  'saliant  Lions'  of 
Lechmere,  attempted  by  the  blazonry  of  the  joiner. 
On  either  side  of  the  ponderous  and  laboured 
mantel,  were  arched  compartments,  of  plainer 
work,  denoting  use,  the  sliding  panels  of  one  of 
which,  being  raised,  displayed  a  beatifet,  groaning 
with  massive  plate.  The  furniture  was  old,  rich, 
and  heavy,  but  in  perfect  preservation.  In  the  midst 
of  this  scene  of  colonial  splendour,  which  was  ren 
dered  as  impressive  as  possible  by  the  presence  of 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  33 

numerous  waxen  lights,  a  lady,  far  in  the  decline 
of  life,  sat,  in  formal  propriety,  on  a  small  settee. 
The  officer  had  thrown  his  cloak  into  the  hands 
of  Meriton,  in  the  hall,  and  as  he  advanced  up  the 
apartment,  his  form  appeared  in  the  gay  dress  of 
a  soldier,  giving  to  its  ease  and  fine  proportions, 
the  additional  charm  of  military  garnish.  The 
hard,  severe  eye  of  the  lady,  sensibly  softened  with 
pleased  surprise,  as  it  dwelt  on  his  person  for  an 
instant  after  she  arose  to  receive  her  guest,  but  the 
momentary  silence  was  first  broken  by  the  youth, 
who  said — 

"  I  have  entered  unannounced,  for  my  impa 
tience  has  exceeded  my  breeding,  madam,  while 
each  step  1  have  taken  in  this  house  recalls  the 
days  of  my  boyhood,  and  of  my  former  freedom 
within  its  walls." 

"  My  cousin  Lincoln !"  interrupted  the  lady, 
•who  was  Mrs.  Lechuiere;  "  that  dark  eye,  that 
smile,  nay,  your  very  step  announces  you  !  I  must 
have  forgotten  my  poor  brother,  and  one  also 
who  is  still  so  dear  to  us,  not  to  have  known  you 
a  true  Lincoln  !" 

There  was  a  distance  in  the  manner  of  both,  at 
meeting,  which  might  easily  have  been  imparted 
by  the  precise  formula  of  the  provincial  school,  of 
which  the  lady  was  so  distinguished  a  member,  but 
which  was  not  sufficient  to  explain  the  sad  expres 
sion  that  suddenly  and  powerfully  blended  with 
the  young  man's  smile,  as  she  spoke.  The  change, 
however,  was  but  momentary,  and  he  answered 
courteously  to  her  assurances  of  recognition — 

"  I  have  long  been  taught  to  expect  a  second 
home  in  Tremont-street,  and  I  find  by  your  flat 
tering  remembrance  of  myself  and  parents,  dear 
madam,  that  my  expectations  are  justified." 

The  lady  was  sensibly  pleased  at  this  remark, 
and  she  suffered  a  smile  to  unbend  her  rigid  brow, 
3$  she  answered — 


34  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

"  A  home,  certainly,  though  it  be  not  such 
a  one  as  the  heir  of  the  wealthy  house  of  Lin 
coln  may  have  been  accustomed  to  dwell  in. 
It  would  be  strange,  indeed,  could  any  allied 
to  that  honourable  family,  forget  to  entertain 
its  representative  with  due  respect." 

The  youth  seemed  conscious  that  quite  as  much 
had  now  been  said  as  the  occasion  required,  and 
he  raised  his  head  from  bowing  respectfully  on  her 
hand,  with  the  intention  of  changing  the  subject 
to  one  less  personal,  when  his  eye  caught  a  glimpse 
of  the  figure  of  another,  and  more  youthful  female, 
who  had  been  concealed,  hitherto,  by  the  drapery 
of  a  window-curtain.  Advancing  to  this  young 
lady,  he  said,  with  a  quickness  that  rather  betray 
ed  his  willingness  to  suspend  further  compliment — 

"And  here  I  see  cue  also,  to  whom  I  have  the 
honor  of  being  related  ;  .Miss  Dynevor  ?" 

"Though  it  be  not  my  grand-child,"  said  Mrs. 
Lechmere,  "  it  is  one  who  claim«  an  equal  affinity 
to  you,  Major  Lincoln;  it  is  Agnes  Danforth,  the 
daughter  of  my  late  niece." 

"  'Twas  my  eye  then,  and  not  my  feelings  that 
were  mistaken/'  returned  the  young  soldier ;  "  I 
hope  this  lady  will  admit  my  claim  to  call  her 
cousin  ?" 

A  simple  inclination  of  the  body  was  the  only 
answer  he  received,  though  she  did  not  decline  the 
hand  which  he  offered  with  his  salutations.  After 
a  few  more  of  the  usual  expressions  of  pleasure, 
and  the  ordinary  inquiries  that  succeed  such 
meetings,  the  party  became  seated,  and  a  more 
regular  discourse  followed. 

*'  I  am  pleased  to  find  you  remember  us  the:). 
cousin  Lionel,"  said  Mrs.  Lechmere ;  "  we  have- 
so  little  in  this  remote  province  that  will  compare 
with  the  mother  country,  I  had  feared  no  vestiges 
of  the  place  of  your  birth  could  remain  on  yow 
mind." 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  35 

"  I  find  the  town  greatly  altered,  it  is  true,  but 
ihere  are  many  places  in  it  which  I  still  remem 
ber,  though  certainly  their  splendour  is  a  little 
diminished,  in  my  eyes,  by  absence  and  a  famili 
arity  with  other  scenes." 

"  Doubtless,  an  acquaintance  with  the  British 
court  will  have  no  tendency  to  exalt  our  humble 
customs  in  your  imagination  ;  neither  do  we  pos 
sess  many  buildings  to  attract  the  notice  of  a  tra 
velled  stranger.  There  is  a  tradition  in  our  family, 
that  your  seat  in  Devonshire  is  as  large  as  any 
dozen  edifices  in  Boston,  public  or  private  j  nay, 
we  are  proud  of  saying,  that  the  king  himself  is 
lodged  as  well  as  the  head  of  the  Lincoln  family, 
only  when  at  his  castle  of  Windsor  !" 

"  Ravenscliffe  is  certainly  a  place  of  some  mag 
nitude,"  returned  the  young  man,  carelessly, 
"  though  you  will  remember  his  majesty  affects 
but  little  state  at  Kew.  I  have,  however,  spent 
so  little  of  rny  time  in  the  country,  that  I  hardly 
know  its  conveniences  or  its  extent." 

The  old  lady  bowed  with  that  sort  of  compla 
cency  which  the  dwellers  in  the  colonies  were  apt 
to  betray,  whenever  an  allusion  was  made  to  the 
acknowledged  importance  of  their  connexions  in 
that  country  toward  which  they  all  looked  as  the 
fountain  of  honour ;  and  then,  as  quickly  as  if  the 
change  in  her  ideas  was  but  a  natural  transition  in 
the  subject,  she  observed — 

"  Surely  Cecil  cannot  know  of  the  arrival  of 
our  kinsman  !  she  is  not  apt  to  be  so  remiss  in 
paying  attention  to  our  guests  !" 

"  She  does  me  the  more  honour,  that  she  con 
siders  me  a  relative,  and  one  who  requires  no  for 
mality  in  his  reception." 

"  You  are  but  cousins  twice  removed,"  return 
ed  the  old  lady,  a  little  gravely ;"  and  there  is 
surely  no  affinity  in  that  degree  which  can  justify 


36  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

any  forgetfulness  of  the  usual  courtesies.  You  see, 
cousin  Lionel,  how  much  we  value  the  consan 
guinity,  when  it  is  a  subject  of  pride  to  the  most 
remote  branches  of  the  family!" 

"I  am  but  little  of  a  genealogist,  madam ;  though. 
if  I  retain  a  true  impression  of  what  I  have  heard, 
Miss  Dynevor  is  of  too  good  blood,  in  the  direct 
line,  to  value  the  collateral  drops  of  an  inter 
marriage." 

"  Pardon  me,  major  Lincoln;  her  father,  colonel 
Dynevor,  was  certainly  an  Englishman  of  an  an 
cient  and  honourable  name,  but  no  family  in  the 
realm  need  scorn  an  alliance  with  our  own.  I  say 
our  own,  cousin  Lionel,  for  I  would  never  have  you 
forget  that  I  am  a  Lincoln,  and  was  the  sister  of 
your  grandfather." 

A  little  surprised  at  the  seeming  contradiction 
in  the  language  of  the  good  lady,  the  young  man 
bowed  his  head  to  the  compliment,  and  cast  his 
eyes  at  his  younger  companion  with  a  sort  of 
longing,  to  change  the  discourse,  by  addressing  the 
reserved  young  woman  nigh  him,  that  was  very 
excusable  in  one  of  his  sex  and  years.  He  had  not 
time,  however,  to  make  more  than  one  or  two 
common-place  remarks,  and  receive  their  answers, 
before  Mrs.  Lechmere  said,  with  some  exhibition 
of  staid  displeasure  against  her  grandchild — 

"  Go,  Agnes,  and  acquaint  your  cousin  of  this- 
happy  event.  She  has  been  sensibly  alive  to  your 
safety,  during  the  whole  time  consumed  by  your 
voyage.  We  have  had  the  prayers  of  the  church, 
for  a  '  person  gone  to  sea,'  read  each  Sunday,  since 
the  receipt  of  your  letters,  announcing  your  inten 
tion  to  embark;  and  I  have  been  exceedingly 
pleased  to  observe  the  deep  interest  with  which 
Cecil  joined  in  our  petitions." 

Lionel  mumbled  a  few  words  of  thanks,  and 
leaning  back  in  his  chair,  threw  his  eyes  upward. 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  37 

but  whether  in  pious  gratitude  or  not,  we  conceive 
it  is  not  our  province  to  determine.  During  the 
delivery  of  Mrs.  Lechmere's  last  speech,  and  the 
expressive  pantomime  that  succeeded  it,  Agnes 
Danforth  rose  and  left  the  room.  The  door  had 
been  some  little  time  closed  before  the  silence  was 
again  broken  ;  during  which,  Mrs.  Lechmere  evi 
dently  essayed  in  vain,  once  or  twice,  to  speak. 
Her  colour,  pale  and  immovable  as  usually  seem 
ed  her  withered  look,  changed  in  its  shades, 
and  her  lip  trembled  involuntarily.  She,  how 
ever,  soon  found  her  utterance,  though  the  first 
tones  of  her  voice  were  choked  and  husky. 

"  I  may  have  appeared  remiss,  cousin  Lionel," 
she  said,  "  but  there  are  subjects  that  can  be  dis 
cussed  with  propriety,  only  between  the  nearest 
relatives.  Sir  Lionel — you  left  him  in  as  good  a 
state  of  bodily  health,!  hope,  as  his  mental  illness 
will  allow  ?" 

"  It  is  so  represented  to  me." 

"  You  have  seen  him  lately  ?" 

"  Not  in  fifteen  years  ;  my  presence  was  said  to 
increase  his  disorder,  and  the  physicians  forbade 
any  more  interviews.  He  continues  at  the  private 
establishment  near  town,  and,  as  the  lucid  inter 
vals  are  thought  to  increase,  both  in  frequency  and 
duration,  I  often  indulge  in  the  pleasing  hope  of 
being  restored  again  to  my  father.  The  belief  is 
justified  by  his  years,  which,  you  know,  are  yet  un 
der  fifty." 

A  long  and  apparently  a  painful  silence  suc 
ceeded  this  interesting  communication ;  at  length 
the  lady  said,  with  a  tremour  in  her  voice,  for 
which  the  young  man  almost  reverenced  her,  as 
it  so  plainly  bespoke  her  interest  in  her  nephew, 
as  well  as  the  goodness  of  her  heart — 

VOL.  i.  5 


38  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

"  I  will  thank  you  for  a  glass  of  that  water  in 
the  beaufet.  Pardon  me,  cousin  Lionel,  but  this 
melancholy  subject  always  overcomes  me.  I  will 
retire  a  few  moments,  with  your  indulgence,  and 
hasten  the  appearance  of  my  grandchild.  I  pine 
that  you  may  meet." 

Her  absence  just  at  that  moment  was  too  agree 
able  to  the  feelings  of  Lionel,  for  him  to  gainsay 
her  intention  ;  though,  instead  of  following  Agnes 
Danforth,  who  had  preceded  her  on  the  same 
duty,  the  tottering  steps  of  Mrs  Lechmere  con 
ducted  her  to  a  door  which  communicated  with  her 
own  apartment.  For  several  minutes  the  young 
man  trampled  on  the  '  salient  lions'  of  Lech- 
mere,  with  a  rapidity  that  seemed  to  emulate 
their  own  mimic  speed,  as  he  paced  to  and  fro 
across  the  narrow  apartment,  his  eye  glancing 
vacantly  along  the  laboured  wainscots,  embracing 
the  argent,  azure  and  purpure  fields  of  the  differ 
ent  escutcheons,  as  heedlessly,  as  if  they  were  nol 
charged  with  the  distinguishing  symbols  of  so 
many  honourable  names.  This  mental  abstraction 
was,  however,  shortly  dissipated  by  the  sudden 
appearance  of  one  who  had  glided  into  the  room, 
and  advanced  to  its  centre,  before  he  becamu 
conscious  of  her  presence.  A  light,  rounded* 
and  exquisitely  proportioned  female  form,  ac 
companied  by  a  youthful  and  expressive  coun 
tenance,  with  an  air  in  which  womanly  grace- 
blended  so  nicely  with  feminine  delicacy  as  to 
cause  each  motion  and  gesture  to  command  re 
spect,  at  the  same  time  that  it  was  singularly  insi 
nuating,  was  an  object  to  suspend,  even  at  a  first 
glance,  provided  that  glance  were  by  surprise,  th«- 
steps  of  a  more  absent  and  less  courteous  youth 
than  the  one  we  have  attempted  to  describe.. 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  39 

Major  Lincoln  knew  tbat  this  young  lady  could 
be  no  other  than  Cecil  Dynevor,  the  daughter 
of  a  British  officer,  long  since  deceased,  by  the 
only  child  of  Mrs.  Lechmere,  who  was  also  in  her 
grave;  and  consequently  that  she  wa§  one  to 
whom  he  was  so  well  known  by  character,  and  so 
nearly  allied  by  blood,  as  to  render  it  an  easy 
task  for  a  man  accustomed  to  the  world  as  he  had 
been,  to  remove  any  little  embarrassments  which 
might  have  beset  a  less  practised  youth,  by  acting 
as  his  own  usher.  This  he  certainly  attempted, 
and  at  first,  with  a  freedom  which  his  affinity,  and 
the  circumstances,  would  seem  to  allow,  though  it 
was  chastened  by  easy  politeness.  But  the  restraint 
visible  in  the  manner  of  the  lady  was  so  marked,  that 
by  the  time  his  salutations  were  ended,  and  he  had 
handed  her  to  a  seat,  the  young  man  felt  as  much 
embarrassment  as  if  he  had  found  himself  alone, 
for  the  first  time,  with  the  woman  whom  lie  had  been 
pining,  for  months,  to  favour  with  a  very  particu 
lar  communication.  Whether  it  is  that  nature 
has  provided  the  other  sex  with  a  tact  for  these 
occasions,  or  that  the  young  lady  became  sen 
sible  that  her  deportment  was  not  altogether  such 
as  was  worthy  either  of  herself,  or  the  guest -of 
her  grandmother,  she  was  certainly  the  first  to 
relieve  the  slight  awkwardness  that  was  but  too 
apparent  in  the  commencement  of  the  interview. 

"  My  grandmother  has  long  been  expecting  this 
pleasure,  major  Lincoln,"  she  said,  "  and  your  ar 
rival  has  been  at  a  most  auspicious  moment.  The 
state  of  the  country  grows  each  day  so  very  alarm 
ing,  that  I  have  indeed  long  urged  her  to  visit  our 
relatives  in  England,  until  the  disputes  shall  have 
terminated." 

The  tones  of  an  extremely  soft  and  melodious 
voice,  and  a  pronunciation  quite  as  exact  as  if  the 


40  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

speaker  had  acquired  the  sounds  in  the  English 
court,  and  which  was  entirely  free  from  the  slight 
vernacular  peculiarity  which  had  offended  his  ear, 
in  the  few  words  that  fell  from  Agnes  Danforth, 
certainly  aided  a  native  attraction  of  manner,  which 
it  seemed  impossible  for  the  young  lady  to  cast 
entirely  aside. 

"  You,  who  are  so  much  of  an  English  woman, 
would  find  great  pleasure  in  the  exchange,"  he 
answered  ;  'k  and  if  half  what  I  have  heard  from 
a  fellow  passenger,  of  the  state  of  the  country  be 
true,  1  shall  be  foremost  in  seconding  your  re 
quest.  Both  Ravenscliffe  and  the  house  in  Soho. 
would  be  greatly  at  the  service  of  Mrs.  Lechmere." 

"  It  was  my  wish  that  she  would  accept  the 
pressing  invitations  of  my  father's  relative,  Lord 
Cardonnel,  who  has  long  urged  me  to  pass  a  few 
years  in  his  own  family.  A  separation  would  be 
painful  to  us  both,  but  should  my  grandmother,  in 
such  an  event,  determine  to  take  her  residence  in 
the  dwellings  of  her  ancestors,  i  could  not  be  cen 
sured  for  adopting  a  resolution  to  abide  under 
the  roofs  of  mine." 

The  piercing  eye  of  major  Lincoln  fell  full 
upon  her  own,  as  she  delivered  this  intention,  and 
as  it  dropped  on  the  floor,  the  slight  smile  that 
played  round  his  lip,  was  produced  by  the  pass 
ing  thought,  that  the  provincial  beauty  had  inhe 
rited  so  much  of  her  grandmother's  pride  of  gene 
alogy,  as  to  be  willing  to  impress  on  his  mind  that 
the  niece  of  a  viscount  was  superior  to  the  heir  of  a 
baronetcy.  But  the  quick,  burning  flush  that  in 
stantly  passed  across  the  features  of  Cecil  Dynevor, 
might  have  taught  him,  that  she  was  acting  under 
the  impulse  of  much  deeper  feelings  than  such  an 
unworthy  purpose  would  indicate.  The  effect, 
however,  was  such  as  to  make  the  young  man 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  41 

glad  to  see  Mrs.   Lechmere  re-enter  the  room, 
leaning  on  the  arm  of  her  niece. 

"  I  perceive,  my  cousin  Lionel."  said  the  lady, 
as  she  moved  with  a  feeble  step  toward  the  settee, 
"  that  you  and  Cecil  have  found  each  other  out, 
without  the  necessity  of  any  other  introduction  than 
the  affinity  between  you.  I  surely  do  not  mean  the 
affinity  of  blood  altogether,  you  know,  for  that  can 
not  be  said  to  amount  to  any  thing ;  but  I  believe 
there  exist  certain  features  of  the  mind  that  are 
transmitted  through  families  quite  as  distinctly  as 
any  which  belong  to  the  countenance." 

"  Could  I  flatter  myself  with  possessing  the 
slightest  resemblance  to  Miss  Dynevor,  in  either 
of  those  particulars,  I  should  be  doubly  proud  of 
the  connexion,"  returned  Lionel,  while  he  assisted 
the  good  lady  to  a  seat,  with  a  coolness  that  suffi 
ciently  denoted  how  little  he  cared  about  the 
matter. 

"  But  I  am  not  disposed  to  have  my  right  to 
claim  near  kindred  with  cousin  Lionel,  at  all  dis 
puted,"  cried  the  young  lady,  with  sudden  anima 
tion.  "  It  has  pleased  our  fore-fathers  to  order 
such — 

"  Nay,  nay,  my  child,"  interrupted  her  grand 
mother,  "  you  forget  that  the  term  of  cousin  can 
only  be  used  in  cases  of  near  consanguinity,  and 
where  familiar  situations  will  excuse  it.  But 
major  Lincoln  knows,  that  we  in  the  colonies  are 
apt  to  make  the  most  of  the  language,  and  count 
our  cousins  almost  as  far  as  if  we  were  members  of 
the  Scottish  clans.  Speaking  of  the  clans,  reminds 
me  of  the  rebellion  of '45.  It  is  notthought  in  Eng 
land,  that  our  infatuated  colonists  will  ever  be  so 
Fool -hardy  as  to  assume  their  arms  in  earnest?" 

"  There  are  various  opinions  on  that  subject," 
said  Lionel.  "  Most  military  men  scout  the  idea  ; 
though  I  find,  occasionally,  an  officer  that  has 

5* 


42  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

served  on  this  continent,  who  thinks  not  only  that 
the  appeal  will  be  made,  but  that  the  struggle  will 
be  bloody." 

"  Why  should  they  not !"  said  Agnes  Danforth, 
abruptly;  "  they  are  men,  and  the  English  are  no 
more  !" 

Lionel  turned  his  looks,  in  a  little  surprise,  on 
the  speaker,  to  whose  countenance  an  almost  im 
perceptible  cast  in  one  eye,  imparted  a  look  of 
arch  good  nature  that  her  manner  would  seem 
to  contradict,  and  smiled  as  he  repeated  her 
words — 

"  Wh'y  should  they  not,  indeed  !  I  know  no 
no  other  reasons  than  that  it  would  be  both 
a  mad  and  an  unlawful  act.  I  can  assure  you  that 
1  am  not  one  of  those  who  affect  to  undervalue 
my  own  countrymen;  for  you  will  remember  that 
I  too  am  an  American." 

"  I  have  heard  it  said  that  such  of  our  volun 
teers  as  wear  uniforms  at  all,"  said  Agnes,  "  ap 
pear  in  blue,  and  not  in  scarlet." 

"  'Tis  his  majesty's  pleasure  that  his  47th  foot 
should  wear  this  gaudy  colour,"  returned  the 
young  man,  laughing ;  "  though,  for  myself,  I  am 
quite  willing  to  resign  it  to  the  use  of  you  ladies^ 
and  to  adopt  another,  could  it  well  be." 

"  It  might  be  done,  sir." 

"  In  what  manner  ?" 

"  By  resigning  your  commission  with  it.'' 

Mrs.  Lechmere  had   evidently  permitted  her 

1,       /.        .  ,     J  f 
niece  to  proceed  thus  tar,  without  interruption,  to 

serve  some  purpose  of  her  own ;  but  perceiving 
that  her  guest  by  no  means  exhibited  that  air  of 
pique  which  the  British  officers  were  so  often 
weak  enough  to  betray,  when  the  women  took  into 
their  hands  the  defence  of  their  country's  honour- 
she  rang  the  bell,  as  she  observed — 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  43 

"  Bold  language,  major  Lincoln !  bold  lan 
guage  for  a  young  lady  under  twenty.  But  Miss 
Danforth  is  privileged  to  speak  her  mind  freely, 
for  some  of  her  father's  family  are  but  too  deeply 
implicated  in  the  unlawful  proceedings  of  these 
evil  times.  We  have  kept  Cecil,  however,  more  to 
her  allegiance." 

"  And  yet  even  Cecil  has  been  known  to  refuse 
the  favour  of  her  countenance  to  the  entertainments 
given  by  the  British  officers!"  said  Agnes,  a  little 
piquantly. 

"  And  would  you  have  Cecil  Dynevor  frequent 
balls  and  entertainments  unaccompanied  by  a  pro 
per  chaperon,"  returned  .Mrs.  Lerhmere ;  "  or  is 
it  expected  that,  at  seventy,  1  can  venture  in  pub 
lic  to  maintain  the  credit  of  our  family.  But  we 
keep  major  Lincoln  from  his  refreshments  with 
our  idle  disputes.  Cato,  we  wait  your  movements." 

Mrs.  Lechmere  delivered  her  concluding  inti 
mation  to  the  black,  in  attendance,  with  an  air  that 
partook  somewhat  of  mystery.  The  old  domes 
tic,  who.  probably  from  long  practice,  understood, 
more  by  the  expression  of  her  eye  than  by  any 
•words  she  had  uttered,  the  wishes  of  his  mistress, 
proceeded  to  close  the  outer  shutters  of  the  win 
dows,  and  to  draw  the  curtains  with  the  most 
exact  care.  When  this  duty  was  performed,  he 
raised  a  small  oval  table  from  its  regular  posi 
tion  among  the  flowing  folds  of  the  drapery  that- 
shrouded  the  deep  apertures  for  light,  and  placed 
it  in  front  of  Miss  Dynevor.  A  salver  of  massive 
silver,  containing  an  equipage  of  the  finest  Dres 
den,  followed,  and  in  a  few  minutes  a  hissing  urn 
of  the  same  precious  metal  garnished  the  polish 
ed  surface  of  the  mahogany.  During  these  arrange 
ments,  Mrs.  Lechmere  and  her  guest  had  main 
tained  a  general  discourse,  touching  chiefly  on  the 
welfare  and  condition  of  certain  individuals  of  their 


44  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

alliance,  in  England.  Notwithstanding  the  de 
mand  thus  made  on  his  attention,  Lionel  was  able 
to  discover  a  certain  appearance  of  mystery  and 
caution  in  each  movement  of  the  black  as  he  pro 
ceeded  leisurely  in  his  duty.  Miss  Dvnevor  per 
mitted  the  disposition  of  the  tea-table  to  be  made 
before  her,  passively,  and  her  cousin  Agnes  Dan- 
forth  threw  herself  back  on  one  of  the  settees, 
with  a  look  that  indicated  cool  displeasure.  When 
the  usual  compound  was  made  in  two  little  fluted 
cups,  over  whose  pure  white  a  few  red  and  green 
sprigs  were  sparingly  scattered,  the  black  present 
ed  one  containing  the  grateful  beverage  to  his  mis 
tress,  and  the  other  to  the  stranger. 

"  Pardon  me,  Miss  Danforth,"  said  Lionel,  re 
collecting  himself  after  he  had  accepted  the  offer 
ing  ;  "  I  have  suffered  my  sea-breeding  to  obtain 
the  advantage." 

"  Enjoy  your  error,  sir,  if  you  can  find  any  gra 
tification  in  the  indulgence,"  returned  the  young 
lady. 

"  But  I  shall  enjoy  it  the  more,  could  I  see  you 
participating  in  the  luxury." 

"You  have  termed  the  idle  indulgence  well; 
'tis  nothing  but  a  luxury,  and  such  a  one  as  can 
be  easily  dispensed  with :  1  thank  you,  sir,  I  do 
not  drink  tea." 

"  Surely  no  lady  can  forswear  her  Bohea!  be 
persuaded." 

"I  know  not  how  the  subtle  poison  may  operate 
on  your  English  ladies,  major  Lincoln,  but  it  is  no 
difficult  matter  for  an  American  girl  to  decline  the 
use  of  a  detestable  herb,  which  is  one,  among  many 
other,  of  the  causes  that  is  likely  to  involve  her 
country  and  kindred  in  danger  and  strife." 

The  young  man,  who  had  really  intended  no 
more  than  the  common  civilities  due  from  his  sex 
to  the  other,  bowed  in  silence,  though,  as  he  turned 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  45 

from  her,  he  could  not  forbear  looking  toward  the 
table  to  see  whether  the  principles  of  the  other 
young  American  were  quite  as  rigid.  Cecil  sat 
bending  over  the  salver,  playing  idly  with  a  curi 
ously  wrought  spoon,  made  to  represent  a  sprig  of 
the  plant  whose  fragrance  had  been  thus  put  in  re 
quisition  to  contribute  to  his  indulgence,  while  the 
steam  from  the  china  vessel  before  her  was  wreath 
ing  in  a  faint  mist  around  her  polished  brow. 

"  You  at  least,  Miss  Dynevor,"  said  Lionel, 
"  appear  to  have  no  dislike  to  the  herb,,  you 
breathe  its  vapour  so  freely." 

Cecil  cast  a  glance  at  him  which  changed  the 
demure  and  somewhat  proud  composure  of  her 
countenance  into  a  look  of  sudden,  joyous  humour, 
that  was  infinitely  more  natural,  as  she  answered 
laughingly — 

"  I  own  a  woman's  weakness. — I  must  believe  it 
was  tea  that  tempted  our  common  mother  in  Para 
dise  !" 

"  It  would  show  that  the  cunning  of  the  serpent 
has  been  transmitted  to  a  later  day,  could  that  be 
proved,"  said  Agnes,  "  though  the  instrument  of 
temptation  has  lost  some  of  its  virtue." 

"  How  know  you  that?"  said  Lionel,  anxious  to 
pursue  the  trifling,  in^rder  to  remove  the  evident 
distance  which  had  existed  between  them  ;  "  had 
Eve  shut  her  ears  as  rigidly  as  you  close  your 
mouth  against  the  offering,  we  might  yet  have  en 
joyed  the  first  gift  to  our  parents." 

"  Oh,  sir,  'tis  no  such  stranger  to  me  as  you  may 
imagine  from  the  indifference  I  have  assumed  on 
the  present  occasion ;  as  Job  Pray  says,  Boston 
harbour  is  nothing  but  a  '  big  tea-pot !' ' 

"  You  know  Job  Pray,  then,  Miss  Danforth !" 
said  Lionel,  not  a  little  amused  by  her  spirit. 

"  Certainly;  Boston  is  so  small,  and  Job  so  use- 
fill,  that  every  body  knows  the  simpleton," 


46  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

"  He  belongs  to  a  distinguished  family,  then,  for 
I  have  his  own  assurance  that  every  body  knows 
bis  perturbed  mother,  Abigail." 

"  You  !"  exclaimed  Cecil,  again,  in  that  sweet, 
natural  voice  that  had  before  startled  her  auditor  j 
"  what  ran  you  know  of  poor  Job,  and  his  almost 
equally  unfortunate  mother !:' 

"  Now,  young  ladies,  I  have  you  in  my  snares  !" 
cried  Lionel;  "  you  may  possibly  resist  the  steams 
of  tea,  but  what  woman  can  withstand  the  impulse 
of  her  curiosity !  not  to  be  too  cruel  with  rny  fair 
kinswomen  on  so  short  an  acquaintance,  however, 
I  will  go  so  far  as  to  acknowledge  that  I  have 
already  had  an  interview  with  Mrs.  Pray." 

The  reply  which  Agnes  was  about  to  deliver 
was  int<  rrupted  by  a  slight  crash,  and  on  turning, 
they  beheld  the  fragments  of  a  piece  of  the  splendid 
set  of  Dresden,  lying  at  the  feet  of  Airs.  Lechmere. 

"  My  dear  grand-  mama  is  ill !"  cried  Cecil, 
springing  to  the  assistance  of  the  old  lady. 
"  Hasten,  Cato  -major  Lincoln,  you  are  more  ac 
tive — for  heaven's  sake  a  glass  of  water — Agnes, 
your  salts." 

The  amiable  anxiety  of  her  grand-child  was 
not,  however,  so  necessary  as  first  appearances 
would  have  indicated,  and  Mrs.  Lechmere  gently 
put  aside  the  salts,  though  she  did  not  decline  the 
glass,  which  Lionel  offered  for  the  second  time  in 
so  short  a  period. 

"  I  fear  you  will  mistake  me  for  a  sad  invalid, 
cousin  Lionel,"  said  the  old  lady,  when  she  had 
become  a  little  composed;  "  but  I  believe  it  is  this 
very  tea,  of  which  so  much  has  been  said,  and 
which  1  drink  to  excess,  from  pure  loyalty,  that 
unsettles  my  nerves — I  must  refrain,  like  the 
girls,  though  from  a  very  different  motive.  We 
are  a  people  of  early  hours,  major  Lincoln,  but  you 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  47 

are  at  home  here,  and  will  pursue  your  pleasure ; 
I  must,  however,  claim  an  indulgence  for  three 
score-  and-ten,  and  be  permitted  to  wish  you  a 
good  rest  after  your  voyage.  Cato  has  his  orders 
to  contribute  all  he  can  to  your  comfort." 

Leaning  on  her  two  assistants,  the*  old  lady 
withdrew,  leaving  Lionel  to  the  full  possession  of 
the  apartment.  As  the  hour  was  getting  late, 
and  from  the  compliments  they  had  exchanged,  he 
did  not  expect  the  return  of  the  younger  ladies, 
he  called  for  a  candle,  and  was  shown  to  his  own 
room.  As  soon  as  the  few  indispensables,  which 
rendered  a  valet  necessary  to  a  gentleman  of  that 
period,  were  observed,  he  dismissed  Meriton,  and 
throwing  himself  in  the  bed,  courted  the  sweets  of 
tKe  pillow. 

Many  incidents,  however,  had  occurred  during 
the  day,  that  induced  a  train  of  thoughts,  which 
for  a  long  time  prevented  his  attaining  the  na 
tural  rest  he  sought.  After  indulging  in  long 
and  uneasy  reflections  on  certain  events,  too  close 
ly  connected  with  his  personal  feelings  to  be  light 
ly  remembered,  the  young  man  began  to  muse  on 
his  reception,  and  on  the  individuals  who  had 
been,  as  it  were,  for  the  first  time,  introduced  to 
him. 

It  was  quite  apparent  that  both  Mrs.  Lechmere, 
and  her  grand-daughter  were  acting  their  several 
jjarts,  though  whether  in  concert  or  not,  remained 
to  be  discovered.  But  in  Agnes  Danforth,  with  all 
his  subtlety,  he  could  perceive  nothing  but  the  plain 
and  direct,  though  a  little  blunt,  peculiarities  of 
her  nature  and  education.  Like  most  very  young 
men,  who  had  just  been  made  acquainted  with  two 
youthful  females,  both  of  them  much  superior  to  the 
generality  of  their  sex  in  personal  charms,  he  fell 
asleep  musing  on  their  characters.  Nor,  consi 
dering  the  circumstances,  will  it  be  at  all  surpris 
ing  when  we  add,  that  before  morning,  he  was 


48  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

dreaming  of  the  Avon,  of  Bristol,  on  board  which 
stout  vessel  he  even  thought  that  he  was  discuss 
ing  a  chowder  on  the  Banks  of  Newfoundland, 
which  had  been  unaccountably  prepared  by  the 
fair  hands  of  Miss  Danforth,  and  which  was 
strangely  flavoured  with  tea ;  while  the  Hebe* 
looking  countenance  of  Cecil  Dynevor  was  laugh 
ing  at  his  perplexities  with  undisguised  good-hu 
mour,  and  with  all  the  vivacity  of  girlish  merri 
ment. 


CHAPTER  IV. 


f<  A  gfood  portly  man,  i'faith,  and  a  corp ulent." 

King  Henry  JF. 


THE  sun  was  just  stirring  the  heavy  bank  of 
fog,  which  had  rested  on  the  waters  during  the 
night,  as  Lionel  toiled  his  way  up  the  side  of 
Beacon-Hill,  anxious  to  catch  a  glimpse  of  his 
native  scenery  while  it  was  yet  glowing  with  the 
first  touch  of  day.  The  islands  raised  their  green 
heads  above  the  mist,  and  the  wide  amphitheatre 
of  hills  that  encircled  the  bay  was  still  visible, 
though  the  vapour  was  creeping  in  places  along 
the  vallies — now  concealing  the  entrance  to 
some  beautiful  glen,  and  now  wreathing  itself  fan 
tastically  around  a  tall  spire  that  told  the  site  of  a 
suburban  village.  Though  the  people  of  the  towa 
were  awake  and  up,  yet  the  sacred  character  of 
the  day,  and  the  state  of  the  times,  contributed  to 
suppress  these  sounds  which  usually  distinguish 
populous  places.  The  cool  nights  and  warm 
days  of  April,  had  generated  a  fog  more  than 
usually  dense,  which  was  deserting  its  watery 
bed,  and  stealing  insidiously  along  the  land, 
to  unite  with  the  vapours  of  the  rivers  and 
"brooks,  spreading  a  wider  curtain  before  the 
placid  view.  As  Lionel  stood  on  the  brow  of  the 
platform  that  crowned  the  eminence,  the  glimpses 

VOL.  i.  6 


50  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

of  houses  and  hills,  of  towers  and  ships,  of  places 
known  and  places  forgotten,  passed  before  his 
vision,  through  the  openings  in  the  mist,  like  phan 
toms  of  the  imagination.  The  whole  scene, 
animated  and  in  motion  as  it  seemed  by  its 
changes,  appeared  to  his  excited  feelings  like 
a  fanciful  panorama,  exhibited  for  his  eye  alone, 
when  his  enjoyment  was  interrupted  by  a  voice 
apparently  at  no  great  distance.  It  was  a  man 
singing  to  a  common  English  air,  fragments  of 
some  ballad,  with  a  peculiarly  vile  nasal  cadency. 
Through  the  frequent  pauses,  he  was  enabled  to 
comprehend  a  few  words,  which,  by  their  recur-, 
rence,  were  evidently  intended  for  a  chorus  td 
the  rest  of  the  production.  The  reader  will  un 
derstand  the  character  of  the  whole  from  these 
lines,  which  ran  as  follows: 

And  they  that  would  be  free, 

Out  they  go ; 

While  the  slaves,  as  you  may  see, 
Stay,  to  drink  their  p'ison  tea, 

Down  below ! 

Lionel,  after  listening  to  this  expressive  ditty  for 
a  moment,  followed  the  direction  of  the  sounds 
until  he  encountered  Job  Pray,  who  was  seated  on 
one  of  the  flights  of  steps  which  aided  the  ascent 
to  the  platform,  cracking  a  few  walnuts  on  the 
boards,  while  he  employed  those  intervals,  when  his 
itiouth  could  find  no  better  employment,  in  utter 
ing  the  above-mentioned  strains. 

"  How  now,  master  Pray,  do  you  come  here  to 
sing  your  orisons  to  the  goddess  of  liberty,  on  a 
Sunday  morning,"  cried  Lionel;  "or  are  you  the 
town  lark,  and  for  want  of  wings  take  to  this 
height  to  obtain  an  altitude  for  your  melody  f" 

"  There's  no  harm  in  singing  psalm  tunes  or 
continental  songs,  any  day  in  the  week,"  said  the 
lad,  without  raising  his  eyes  from  his  occupation ; 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  51 

"  Job  don't  know  what  a  lark  is,  but  if  it  belongs 
to  the  town,  the  soldiers  are  so  thick,  they  can't 
keep  it  on  the  common." 

"  And  what  objection  can  you  have  to  the  sol 
diers  possessing  a  corner  of  your  common." 

"They  starve  the  cows,  and  then  they  wont 
give  milk  ;  grass  is  sweet  to  beasts  in  the  spring 
of  the  year." 

"  But  my  life  for  it,  the  soldiers  don't  eat  the 
grass;  your  briridles  and  your 'blacks,  your  reds 
and  your  whites,  may  have  the  first  offering  of  the 
spring,  as  usual." 

"  But  Boston  cows  don't  love  grass  that  British 
soldiers  have  trampled  on,"  said  the  sullen  lad. 

;'  This  is,  indeed,  carrying  notions  of  liberty  to 
refinement !"  exclaimed  Lionel,  laughing. 

Job  shook  his  bead,  threateningly,  as  he  looked 
Up  and  said,  "  Don't  you  let  Ralph  hear  you  say 
any  thing  ag'in  liberty  !" 

'  "  Ralph  !  who  is  he,  lad  ?  your  genius  !  where 
do  you  keep  the  invisible,  that  there  is  danger  of 
his  overhearing  what  I  say  ?" 

"  He's  up  there  in  the  fog,"  said  Job,  pointing 
significantly  toward  the  foot  of  the  Beacon,  which 
a  dense  volume  of  vapor  wasenwrapping,  probably 
attracted  up  the  tall  post  that  supported  the  grate. 

Lionel  gazed  at  the  smoky  column  for  a  mo 
ment,  when  the  mists  began  to  dissolve,  and,  amid 
their  evolutions,  be  beheld  the  dim  figure  of  his 
aged  fellow  passenger.  The  old  man  was  still  rlad 
in  his  simple,  tarnished  vestments  of  gray,  which 
harmonized  so  singularly  with  the  mists  as  to  im 
part  a  look  almost  ethereal  to  his  wasted  form.  As 
the  medium  through  which  he  was  seen  became 
less  cloudy,  his  features  grew  visible,  and  Lionel* 
could  distinguish  the  uneasy,  rapid  glances  of  his 
eyes,  which  seemed  to  roam  over  the  distant  ob 
jects  with  an  earnestness  that  appeared  to  mock  the 


52  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

misty  veil  that  was  floating  before  so  much  of 
the  view.  While  Lionel  stood  fixed  to  the  spot, 
gazing  at  this  irregular  being  with  that  secret 
awe  which  the  other  had  succeeded  in  inspiring^ 
the  old  man  waved  his  hand  impatiently,  as  if  he 
would  cast  aside  his  shroud.  At  that  instant  a 
bright  sun-beam  darted  into  the  vapour,  illuminat 
ing  his  person,  and  melting  the  mist  into  thin  air. 
The  anxious,  haggard,  and  severe  expression  of  his 
countenance  changed  at  the  touch  of  the  ray,  and 
he  smiled  with  a  softness  and  attraction  that  thrilled 
the  nerves  of  the  other,  as  he  called  aloud  to 
the  sensitive  young  soldier — 

"  Come  hither,  Lionel  Lincoln,  to  the  foot  of 
this  beacon,  where  you  may  gather  warnings, 
which,  if  properly  heeded,  will  guide  you  through 
many  and  great  dangers,  unharmed." 

"  1  am  glad  you  have  spoken,"  said  Lionel, 
advancing  to  his  side ;  "  you  appeared  like  a 
being  of  another  world,  wrapped  in  that  mantle 
of  fog,  and  I  felt  tempted  to  kneel,  and  ask  a 
benediction." 

"  And  am  I  not  a  being  of  another  world  t 
most  of  my  interests  are  already  in  the  grave, 
and  I  tarry  here  only  for  a  space,  because  there 
is  a  great  work  to  be  done,  which  cannot  be  per 
formed  without  me.  My  view  of  the  world  of 
spirits,  young  man,  is  much  clearer  and  more 
distinct  than  yours  of  this  variable  scene  at  your 
feet.  There  is  no  mist  to  obstruct  the  eye,  nor 
any  doubts  as  to  the  colours  it  presents." 

"  You  are  happy,  sir,  in  the  extremity  of  your 
age  to  be  so  assured.  But  I  fear  your  sudden  de 
termination  last  night  subjected  you  to  incon 
venience  in  the  tenement  of  this  changeling." 

"  The  boy  is  a  good  boy,"  said  the  old  man, 
stroking  the  head  of  the  natural  complacently ; 
*'  we  understand  each  other,  major  Lincoln,  and. 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  53. 

that  shortens  introductions,  and  renders  commu 
nion  easy." 

"That  you  feel  alike  on  one  subject,  I  have 
already  discovered ;  but  there  I  should  think  the 
resemblance  and  the  intelligence  must  end." 

"  The  propensities  of  the  mind  in  its  infancy  and 
in  its  maturity  are  but  a  span  apart,"  said  the  stran 
ger  ;  "  the  amount  of  human  knowledge  is  but  to 
know  how  much  we  are  under  the  dominion  of 
our  passions ;  and  he  who  has  learned  by  expe 
rience  how  to  smother  the  volcano,  and  he  who 
never  felt  its  fires,  are  surely  fit  associates." 

Lionel  bowed  in  silence  to  an  opinion  so  hum 
bling  to  the  other,  and  after  a  pause  of  a  moment, 
adverted  to  their  situation. 

"  The  sun  begins  to  make  himself  felt,  and 
when  he  has  driven  away  these  ragged  remnants 
of  the  fog,  we  shall  see  those  places  each  of  us  have 
frequented,  in  his  day." 

"  Shall  we  find  them  as  we  left  them,  think 
37ou  ?  or  will  you  see  the  stranger  in  possession  of 
the  haunts  of  your  infancy  ?" 

"  Not  the  stranger,  certainly,  for  we  are  the  sub 
jects  of  one  king ;  children  who  own  a  common 
parent." 

"  I  will  not  reply  that  he  has  proved  himself  an 
unnatural  father,"  said  the  old  man,  calmly;  "  the 
gentleman  who  now  fills  the  British  throne  is 
less  to  be  censured  than  his  advisers,  for  the  op 
pression  of  his  reign." — 

"  Sir,"  interrupted  Lionel,  "  if  such  allusions 
are  made  to  the  person  of  my  sovereign,  we  must 
separate ;  for  it  ill  becomes  a  British  officer  to  hear 
his  master  mentioned  with  levity." 

"  Levity  !"  repeated  the  other,  slowly.  '*  It  is 
a  fault  indeed  to  accompany  gray  locks  and  wast 
ed  limbs !  but  your  jealous  watchfulness  betrays 
you  into  error.  I  have  breathed  in  the  atmos- 


04  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

phere  of  kings,  young  man,  and  know  how  fa 
separate  the  individual  and  his  purpose,  from  the 
policy  of  his  government.  'Tis  the  latter  that 
will  sever  this  great  empire,  and  deprive  the 
third  George  of  what  has  so  often  and  so  well 
been  termed  '  the  brightest  jewel  in  his  crown'.  " 

"  I  must  leave  you,  sir,"  said  Lionel ;  "  the 
Opinions  you  so  freely  expressed  during  our  pas 
sage,  were  on  principles  which  I  can  hardly  call 
opposed  to  our  own  constitution,  and  might  bo 
heard,  not  only  without  offence,  but  frequently 
with  admiration  ;  but  this  language  approaches 
to  treason !" 

"  Go  then,"  returned  the  unmoved  stranger, 
"descend  to  yon  degraded  common,  and  bid 
your  mercenaries  seize  me — 'twill  be  only  the 
blood  of  an  old  man,  but  'twill  help  to  fatten 
the  land;  or  send  your  merciless  grenadiers  to 
torment  their  victim  before  the  axe  shall  do  its 
work.;  a  man  who  has  lived  so  long,  can  surely 
spare  a  little  of  his  time  to  the  tormentors  !" 

"  I  could  have  thought,  sir,jthatyou  might  spare 
such  a  reproach  to  me,"  said  Lionel. 

"  I  do  spare  it,  and  I  do  more ;  I  forget  my 
years,  and  solicit  forgiveness.  But  had  you  known 
slavery,  as  I  have  done,  in  it's  worst  of  forms,  you 
would  know  how  to  prize  the  inestimable  blessing 
of  freedom." 

"  Have  you  ever  known  slavery,  in  your  travel^ 
more  closely  than  in  what  you  deem  the  violation? 
of  principle?" 

"  Have  I  not !"  said  the  stranger,  smiling  bit 
terly  ;  "  I  have  known  it  as  man  should  never 
know  it;  in  act  and  will.  I  have  lived  days, 
months,  and  even  years,  to  hear  others  coldly 
declare  my  wants ;  to  see  others  dole  out  their 
jpeager  pittances  to  my  necessities,  and  to  hear 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  5i? 

Others  assume  the  right,  to  express  the  sufferings, 
and  to  control  the  enjoyments  of  sensibilities  that 
God  had  given  to  me  only  !" 

"  To  endure  such  thraldom,  you  must  have  fal 
len  into  the  power  of  the  infidel  barharians  !" 

"Ay  !  boy,  I  thank  you  for  the  words;  they 
were  indeed  most  worthy  of  the  epithets  !  infidels 
that  denied  the  precepts  of  our  blessed  Redeemer; 
and  barbarians  that  treated  one  having  a  soul,  and 
possessing  reason  like  themselves^  as  a  beast  of 
the  field." 

"  Why  didn't  you  come  to  Boston,  Ralph,  and 
(ell  that  to  the  people  in  Funnel-Hall  ?"  exclaim 
ed  Job;  "  ther'd  ha'  been  a  stir  about  it !" 

"  Child,  I  did  come  to  Boston,  again  and  again, 
in  thought;  and  the  appeals  that  I  made  to  my 
townsmen  would  have  moved  the  very  roof  of 
old  Fanueil,  could  they  have  been  uttered  within 
her  walls.  But  'twas  in  vain  !  they  had  the  power, 
and  like  demons — or  rather  like  miserable  men. 
they  abused  it." 

Lionel,  sensibly  touched,  was  about  to  reply  in 
a  suitable  manner,  when  he  heard  a  voice  calling 
his  own  name  aloud,  as  if  the  speaker  were  as 
cending  the  opposite  acclivity  of  the  hill.  The 
instant;  the  sounds  reached  his  ears,  the  old  man 
rose  from  his  seat,  on  the  foundation  of  the  bea 
con,  and  gliding  over  the  brow  of  the  platform, 
followed  by  Job,  they  descended  into  a  volume 
of  mist  that  was  still  clinging  to  the  side  of  the 
hill,  with  amazing  swiftness. 

"  Why,  Leo  !  thou  lion  in  name,  and  deer  in 
activity!"  exclaimed  the  intruder,  as  he  surmount 
ed  the  steep  ascent,  "  what  can  have  brought  you 
up  into  the  clouds  so  early!  whew — a  man  needs  a 
New-Market  training  to  scale  such  a  precipice. 
JBut,  Leo,  my  'dear 'fellow,  I  rejoice  to  see  you — 
we  knew  yoli  were  expected  in  the  first  ship,  and 


56  LIONEL    LINCOLN7. 

as  I  was  coming  from  morning  parade,  I  met  a 
eouple  of  grooms  in  the  '  Lincoln  green,'  you 
know,  leading  each  a  blooded  charger — faith, 
one  of  them  would  have  been  quite  convenient  to 
elitnb  this  accursed  hill  on — whew  and  whevv-w, 
again — well,  I  knew  the  liveries  at  a  glance  ;  as 
to  the  horses,  1  hope  to  be  better  acquainted  with 
them  hereafter.  Pray,  sir,  said  I,  to  one  of  the 
liveried  scoundrels,  whom  do  you  serve  ?"  "  Ma 
jor  Lincoln,  of  Ravenscliffe,  sir,"  said  he,  with  a 
look  as  impudent  as  if  he  could  have  said,  like 
you  and  I,  his  sacred  majesty  the  king.  That's 
the  answer  of  the  servants  of  your  ten  thousand 
a  year  men !  Now,  if  my  fool  had  been  asked 
such  a  question,  his  answer  would  have  been, 
craven  dog  as  he  is,  captain  Polwarth,  of  the  47th; 
leaving  the  inquirer,  though  it  should  even  be  some 
curious  maiden  who  had  taken  a  fancy  to  the  tout 
ensemble  of  my  outline,  in  utter  ignorance  that 
there  is  such  a  place  in  the  world  as  Polwarth- 
Hall!" 

During  this  voluble  speech,  which  was  inter 
rupted  by  sundry  efforts  to  regain  the  breath  lost 
in  the  ascent,  Lionel  Shook  his  friend  cordially  by 
the  hand,  and  attempted  to  express  his  own  plea 
sure  at  the  meeting.  The  failure  of  wind,  how 
ever,  which  was  a  sort  of  besetting  sin  with  cap 
tain  Polwarth,  had  now  compelled  him  to  pause, 
and  gave  time  to  Lionel  for  a  reply. 

"  This  hill  is  the  last  place  where  I  should  have 
expected  to  meet  you,"  he  said.  "  I  took  it  for 
granted  you  would  not  be  stirring  until  nine  or 
ten  at  least,  when  it  was  my  intention  to  inquire 
you  out,  and  to  give  you  a  call  before  I  paid  my 
respects  to  the  commander-in-chief." 

"  Ah !  you  may  thank  his  excellency,  the  '  Hon. 
Thomas  Gage,  governor  and  commander-in-chief, 
in  and  over  the  Province  of  Massachusetts-Bay, 
and  vice-admiral  of  the  same,'  as  he  styles  himself 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  55 

in  his  proclamations,  for  this  especial  favour; 
though,  between  ourselves,  Leo,  he  is  about  as 
much  governor  over  the  Province,  as  he  is  owner 
of  those  hunters  you  have  just  landed." 

"  But  why  am  I  to  thank  him  for  this  inter 
view  r" 

"  Why  !  look  about  you,  and  tell  me  what  you 
behold — nothing  but  fog — nay,  I  see  there  is  a 
steeple,  and  yonder  is  the  smoking  sea,  and  here 
are  the  chimneys  of  Hancock's  house  beneath  us, 
smoking  too,  as  if  their  rebellious  master  were  at 
home,  and  preparing  his  feed  !  but  every  thing  in 
sight  is  essentially  srnoky,  and  there  is  a  natural 
aversion,  in  us  epicures,  to  smoke.  Nature  dictates 
that  a  man  who  has  as  much  to  do  in  a  day,  in 
carrying  himself  about,  as  your  humble  servant, 
should  not  cut  his  rest  too  abruptly  in  the  morning. 
But  the  honourable  Thomas,  governor,  and  vice- 
admiral,  &tc.  has  ordered  us  under  anus  with  the 
sun ;  officers,  as  well  as  men !" 

"  Surely  that  is  no  great  hardship  to  a  soldier," 
returned  Lionel ;  "  and  moreover,  it  seems  to 
agree  with  you  marvellously !  Now  1  look  again, 
Polwarth,  I  am  amazed!  Surely  you  are  not  in  a 
light-infantry  jacket !" 

"  Certes — what  is  there  in  that  so  wonderful,'* 
returned  the  other,  with  great  gravity ;  "  don't  I 
become  the  dress  ?  or  is  it  the  dress  which  does  not 
adorn  me,  that  you  look  ready  to  die  with  mirth  ? 
Laugh  it  out  Leo.  I  am  used  to  it  these  three 
days — but  what  is  there,  after  all,  so  remarkable 
in  Peter  Polwarth's  commanding  a  company  of 
light  infantry.  Am  I  not  just  five  feet,  six  and 
one  eighth  of  an  inch — the  precise  height !" 

"  You  appear  to  have  been  so  accurate  in  your 
longitudinal  admeasurement,  that  you  must  carry 
one  of  Harrison's  time-pieces  in  your  pocket ;  did 
it  ever  suggest  itself  to  yon  to  use  the  quadrant 
also  f" 


08  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

"  For  my  latitude  !  I  understand  you,  Leo  j 
because  I  am  shaped  a  little  like  mother  earth, 
does  it  argue  that  I  cannot  command  a  light-infan 
try  company  .'" 

"  Ay,  even  as  Joshua  commanded  the  sun. 
But  the  stopping  of  the  planet  itself,  is  not  a 
greater  miracle  in  my  eyes,  than  to  see  you  in 
that  attire." 

"  Well,  then,  the  mystery  shall  be  explained  ; 
but  first  let  u--  be  seated  on  this  beacon,"  said  cap 
tain  Pol  warth,  establishing  himself  with  great 
method  in  the  place  so  lately"  occupied  by  the 
attenuated  form  of  the  stranger;  "a  true  soMier 
husbands  his  resources  for  a  time  of  need  ;  that 
word,  husbands,  brings  me  at  once  to  the  point — 
I  am  in  love." 

"  That  is  surprising  !" 

*  But  what  is  much  more  so,  I  would  fain  be 
married." 

It  must  be  a  woman  of  no  mean  endowments 
that  could  exrite  such  desires  in  Captain  Pol  wart  h, 
Of  the  47th.  and  of  Polwarth-Hall  !" 

"  She  is  a  woman  of  great  qualifications,  major 
Lincoln,"  said  the  lover,  with  a  sudden  gravity 
that  indicated  his  gaiety  of  manner  was  not 
entirely  natural.  "  In  figure  she  may  be  said  to 
be  done  to  a  turn.  When  she  is  grave,  she 
walks  with  the  stateliness  of  a  show  beef;  when 
she  runs,  'tis  with  the  activity  of  a  turkey  ;  and 
•when  at  rest,  I  can  only  compare  her  to  a  dish 
of  venison,  savory,  d*licate,  and  what  one  can, 
never  get  enough  of." 

"  You  have,  to  adopt  your  own  metaphors,  given 
Such  a  '  rare'  sketch  of  her  person,  I  am, '  burning' 
to  hear  something  of  her  mental  qualifications." 

"  My  metaphors  are  not  poetical,  perhaps,  but 
they  are  the  first  that  ofier  themselves  to  my  mind, 
and  they  are  natural.  Hep  accomplishments  ex» 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  59 

Ceed  her  native  gifts  greatly.  In  the  first  place  she 
is  witty  ;  in  the  second,  she  is  as  impertinent  as  the 
devil;  and  in  the  third,  as  inveterate  a  little  traitor 
to  king  George  as  there  is  in  all  Boston." 

"  These  are  strange  recommendations  to  your 
favour !" 

"The  most  infallible  of  all  recommendations. 
They  are  piquant,  like  savoury  sauces,  which  ex 
cite  the  appetite,  and  season  the  dish.  Now  her 
treason  (for  it  amounts  to  that  in  fact)  is  like 
olives,  and  gives  a  gusto  to  the  generous  port  of 
my  loyalty.  Her  impertinence  is  oil  to  the  cold 
sallad  of  my  modesty,  and  her  acid  wit  mingles 
with  the  sweetness  of  my  temperament,  in  that  sort 
of  pleasant  combination  with  which  sweet  and 
sour  blend  in  sherbet." 

"  It  would  be  idle  for  me  to  gainsay  the  charms 
of  such  a  woman,"  returned  Lionel,  a  good  deal 
amused  with  the  droll  mixture  of  seriousness  and 
humour  in  the  other's  manner ;  "  now  for  her 
connexion  with  the  light-infantry — she  is  not  of 
the  light  corps  of  her  own  sex,  Polwarth  ?" 

Pardon  me,  major  Lincoln,  I  cannot  joke  on 
this  subject.  Miss  Danforth  is  of  one  of  the  best 
families  in  Boston." 

"  Danforth  !  not  Agnes,  surely  !" 

"  The  very  same  !"  exclaimed  Polwarth,  in  stuv 
prise  ;  "  what  do  you  know  of  her?" 

"  Only  that  she  is  a  sort  of  cousin  of  rny  own, 
and  that  we  are  inmates  of  the  same  house.  We 
bear  equal  affinity  to  Mrs.  Lechmere,  and  the 
good  lady  has  insisted  that  I  shall  make  rny  home 
in  Tremont-street." 

"  I  rejoice  to  hear  it !  At  all  events,  our  intima 
cy  may  now  be  improved  to  some  better  purpose 
than  eating  and  drinking.  But  to  the  point — there 
were  certain  damnable  innuendoes  getting  into 
circulation,  concerning  my  proportions,  whieh  I 
•considered  it  prudent  to  look  down  at  once." 


60  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

"  In  order  to  do  which,  you  had  only  to  look 
thinner." 

"  And  do  I  not,  in  this  appropriate  dress  ? 
To  be  perfectly  serious  with  you,  Leo,  for  to 
you  I  can  freely  unburthen  myself,  you- know  what 
a  set  we  are  in  the  47th — let  them  once  fasten  an 
opprobrious  term,  or  a  nick  name  on  you,  and  you 
take  it  to  the  grave,  be  it  ever  so  burthensome." 

"  There  is  a  way,  certainly,  to  check  ungentle- 
man-like  liberties,"  said  Lionel,  gravely. 

"  Poh !  poh  !  a  man  wouldn't  wish  to  fight 
about  a  pound  more  or  a  pound  less  of  fat !  still 
the  name  is  a  great  deal,  and  first  impressions  are 
every  thing.  Now,  whoever  thinks  of  Grand 
Cairo  as  a  village  ;  of  the  Grand-Turk  and  Great 
Mogul,  as  little  boys  ;  or,  who  would  believe,  by 
hearsay,  that  captain  Polwarth,  of  the  light  infan 
try,  could  weigh  one  hundred  and  eighty !" 

"  Add  twenty  to  it." 

"  Not  a  pound  more,  as  I  am  a  sinner.  I  was 
weighed  in  the  presence  of  the  whole  mess  no 
later  than  last  week,  since  when  I  have  rather  lost 
than  gained  an  ounce,  for  this  early  rising  is  no 
friend  to  a  thriving  condition.  'Twas  in  my  night 
gown,  you'll  remember,  Leo,  for  we,  who  tally  so 
often,  can't  afford  to  throw  in  boots,  and  buckles, 
and  all  those  sorts  of  things,  like  your  feather 
weights." 

"  But  I  marvel  how  Nesbit  was  induced  to 
consent  to  the  appointment,"  said  Lionel ;  "  he 
loves  a  little  display." — 

"  I  am  your  man  for  that,"  interrupted  the  cap 
tain  ;  "  we  are  embodied  you  know,  and  I  make 
more  display,  if  that  be  what  you  require,  than 
any  captain  in  the  corps.  But  I  will  whisper  a 
secret  in  your  ear.  There  has  been  a  nasty  busi 
ness  here,  lately,  in  which  the  47th  has  gained 
'no  new  laurels — a  matter  of  tarring  and  feather 
ing,  about  an  old  rusty  musket." 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  61 

"  I  have  heard  something  of  the  affair  alrea 
dy,"  returned  Lionel,  "  and  was  grieved  to  find 
the  men  justifying  some  of  their  own  brutal  con 
duct  last  night,  by  the  example  of  their  com 
mander." 

"  Murn — 'tis  a  delicate  matter — well,  that  tar 
has  brought  the  Colonel  into  particularly  bad 
odour  in  Boston,  especially  among  the  women, 
in  whose  good  graces  we  are  all  of  us  lower  than 
I  have  ever  known  scarlet  coats  to  stand  before. 
Why,  Leo,  the  Mohairs  are  altogether  the  better 
men,  here!  But  there  is  not  an  officer  in  the  whole 
army  who  has  made  nrore  friends  in  the  place 
than  your  humble  servant.  I  have  availed  my 
self  of  my  popularity,  which  just  now  is  no  trifling 
thing,  and  partly  by  promises,  and  partly  by  secret 
interest,  I  have  the  company;  to  which  you  know 
my  rank  in  the  regiment  gives  me  an  undoubted 
title." 

"  A  perfectly  satisfactory  explanation ;  a  most 
commendable  ambition  on  your  part,  and  a  cer 
tain  symptom  that  the  peace  is  not  to  be  disturb 
ed  ;  for  Gage  would  never  permit  such  an  arrange 
ment,  bad  he  any  active  operations  in  his  eye." 

"  Why,  there  I  think  you  are  more  than  half 
right ;  these  yankees  have  been  talking,  and  re 
solving,  and  approbating  their  resolves,  as  they 
call  it,  these  ten  years  past,  and  what  does  it  all 
amount  to  ?  To  be  sure,  things  grow  worse  and 
worse  every  day — but  Jonathan  is  an  enigma  to 
me.  Now  you  know  when  we  were  in  the  caval 
ry  together — God  forgive  me  the  suicide  I  com 
mitted  in  exchanging  into  the  foot,  which  I  never 
should  have  done,  could  I  have  found  in  all  Eng 
land  such  a  thing  as  an  easy  goer,  or  a  safe  leap- 
er — but  then,  if  the  commons  took  offence  at  a 
new  tax,  or  a  stagnation  in  business,  why  they  got 
together  in  mobs,  and  burnt  a  house  or  two,  fright- 

VOL.  i.  7 


62  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

ened  a  magistrate,  and  perhaps  hustled  a  consta 
ble  ;  then  in  we  came  at  a  hand  gallop,  you  know, 
flourished  our  swords,  and  scattered  the  ragged 
devils  to  the  four  winds ;  when  the  courts  did  the 
rest,  leaving  us  a  cheap  victory  at  the  expense  ol' 
a  little  wind,  which  was  amply  compensated  by 
an  increased  appetite  for  dinner.  But  here  it  i? 
altogether  a  different  sort  of  thing." 

"  And  what  are  the  most  alarming  symptoms, 
just  now,  in  the  colonies  ?"  asked  major  Lincoln, 
with  a  sensible  interest  in  the  subject. 

"  They  refuse  their  natural  aliment  to  uphold 
what  they  call  their  prindiples ;  the  women  ab 
jure  tea,  and  the  men  abandon  their  fisheries ! 
There  has  been  hardly  such  a  thing  as  even  a  wild- 
duck  brought  into  the  market  this  spring,  in  con 
sequence  of  the  Port-Bill,  and  yet  they  grow 
more  stubborn  every  day.  If  it  should  come  to 
blows,  however,  thank  God  we  are  strong  enough 
to  open  a  passage  for  ourselves  to  any  part  of  the 
continent  where  provisions  may  be  plentier ;  and 
I  hear  more  troops  are  already  on  the  way." 

"  If  it  should  come  to  blows,  which  heaven  for 
bid,"  said  major  Lincoln,  "  we  shall  be  besieged 
where  we  now  are." 

"  Besieged  !"  exclaimed  Polwarth,  in  evident 
alarm  ;  "  if  I  thought  there  was  the  least  pros 
pect  of  such  a  calamity  I  would  sell  out  to 
morrow.  It  is  bad  enough  now  ;  our  mess-table 
is  never  decently  covered,  but  if  there  should 
come  a  siege 'twould  be  absolute  starvation. — No. 
no,  Leo,  their  minute  men,  and  their  long-tailed 
rabble,  would  hardly  think  of  besieging  four  thou 
sand  British  soWiers  with  a  fleet  to  back  them. 
Four  thousand  !  If  the  regiments  I  hear  named 
are  actually  on  the  way,  there  will  be  eight  thou 
sand  of  us — as  good  men  as  ever  wore — " 


LIONEL    LINCOLN'.  63 

Ci  Light-infantry  jackets,"  interrupted  Lionel. 
H  But  the  regiments  are  certainly  coming  ;  Clin 
ton,  Burgoyne,  and  Howe,  had  an  audience  to  take 
leave,  on  the  same  day  with  myself.  The  service 
is  exceedingly  popular  with  the  king,  and  our  re 
ception,  of  course,  was  most  gracious  ;  though  I 
thought  the  eye  of  royalty  looked  on  me  as  if  it 
remembered  one  or  two  of  my  juvenile  votes  in 
the  house,  on  the  subject  of  these  unhappy  dis 
sensions." 

"  You  voted  against  the  Port-Bill,"  said  Pol- 
warth,  "  out  of  regard  to  me  f" 

"No,  there  I  joined  the  ministry.  The  con 
duct  of  the  people  of  Boston  had  provoked  the 
measure,  and  there  were  hardly  two  minds  in  par 
liament  on  that  question." 

"  Ah !  major  Lincoln,  you  are  a  happy  man," 
said  the  captain  ;  "  a  seat  in  Parliament  at  five- 
and-twenty  !  I  must  think  that  I  should  prefer  just 
such  an  occupation  to  all  others — the  very  name  is 
taking;  a  seat!  you  have  two  members  for  your 
borough  :  who  fills  the  second  now  ? 

"  Say  nothing  on  that  subject,  I  entreat  you," 
whispered  Lionel,  pressing  the  arm  of  the  other, 
as  he  rose ;  "  'tis  not  filled  by  him  who  should 
occupy  it,  as  you  know — shall  we  descend  to  the 
common  ?  there  are  many  friends  that  I  could 
wish  to  see  before  the  bell  calls  us  to  church." 

"  Yes,  this  is  a  church-going,  or  rather  meeting- 
going  place  ;  for  most  of  the  good  people  forswear 
the  use  of  the  word  church  as  we  abjure  the  supre 
macy  of  the  Pope,"  returned  Polwarth,  following 
in  his  companion's  foot-steps;  "I  never  think  of  at 
tending  any  of  their  schism-shops,  for  I  would  any 
day  rather  stand  sentinel  over  a  baggage-wagon, 
than  stand  up  to  hear  one  of  their  prayers.  I  can 
do  very  well  at  the  king's  chapel, as  they  call  it;  for 
xvhen  I  am  once  comfortably  fixed  on  my  knees. 


64  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

I  make  out  as  well  as  my  lord  archbishop  of  Can 
terbury  ;  though  it  has  always  been  matter  of  sur 
prise  to  me,  how  any  man  can  find  breath  to  go 
through  their  work  of  a  morning." 

They  descended  the  hill,  as  Lionel  replied, 
and  their  forms  were  soon  blended  with  those  of 
twenty  others  who  wore  scarlet  coats,  on  the 
common. 


CHAPTER  V. 


te  For  us,  and  for  our  tragedy, 
"  Here  stooping  to  your  clemency, 
"  We  beg  your  hearing  patiently." 

Harnlel. 


We  must,  now,  carry  the  reader  back  a  centu 
ry,  in  order  to  clear  our  tale  of  every  appearance 
of  ambiguity.  Reginald  Lincoln  was  a  cadet  of 
an  extremely  ancient  and  wealthy  family,  whose 
possessions  were  suffered  to  continue  as  appen 
dages  to  a  baronetcy,  throughout  all  the  changes 
which  marked  the  eventful  periods  of  the  com 
monwealth,  and  the  usurpation  of  Cromwell.  He 
had  himself,  however,  inherited  little  more  than 
a  morbid  sensibility,  which,  even  in  that  age,  ap 
peared  to  be  a  sort  of  heir-loom  to  his  family. 
While  still  a  young  man  he  had  married  a  woman 
to  whom  he  was  much  attached,  who  died  in  giv 
ing  birth  to  her  first  child.  The  grief  of  the  hus 
band  took  a  direction  towards  religion ;  but  un 
happily,  instead  of  deriving  from  his  researches 
that  healing  consolation,  with  which  our  faith 
abounds,  his  mind  became  soured  by  the  preva 
lent  but  discordant  views  of  the  attributes  of  the 
Deity ;  and  the  result  of  his  conversion  was  to 
leave  him  an  ascetick  puritan,  and  an  obstinate 
predestinarian,  That  such  a  roan,  finding  but  lif* 

T* 


66  LIONEL   LINCOLN, 

tie  to  connect  him  with  his  native  country,  should 
revolt  at  the  impure  practices  of  the  Court  of 
Charles,  is  not  surprising ;  and  accordingly, 
though  not  at  all  implicated  in  the  guilt  of  the 
regicides,  he  departed  for  the  religious  province 
of  Sfossachusetts-Bay,  in  the  first  years  of  the 
rei^fef  that  merry  prince. 

It  was  not  difficult  for  a  man  of  the  rank  and 
reputed  sanctity  of  Reginald  Lincoln,  to  obtain 
both  honourable  and  lucrative  employments  in 
the  plantations;  and  after  the  first  glow  of  his 
awakened  ardour  in  behalf  of  spiritual  matters  had 
a  little  abated,  he  failed  not  to  improve  a  due  por 
tion  of  his  time  by  a  commendable  attention  to 
temporal  things.  To  the  day  of  his  death,  how 
ever,  he  continued  a  gloomy,  austere,  and  bigot 
ed  religionist,  seemingly  too  regardless  of  the  vani 
ties  of  this  world  to  permit  his  pure  imagination  to 
mingle  with  its  dross,  even  while  he  submitted  to 
discharge  its  visible  duties.  Notwithstanding  this 
elevation  of  mind,  his  son,  at  the  decease  of  his 
father,  found  himself  in  the  possession  of  many 
goodly  effects ;  which  were,  questionless,  the  ac 
cumulations  of  a  neglected  use,  during  the  days 
of  his  sublimated  progenitor. 

Young  Lionel  so  far  followed  in  the  steps  of  his 
worthy  parent,  as  to  continue  gathering  honours 
and  riches  into  his  lap  ;  though,  owing  to  an  ear 
ly  disappointment,  and  the  inheritance  of  the 
'  heir-loom'  already  mentioned,  it  was  late  in  life 
before  he  found  a  partner  to  share  his  happiness. 
Contrary  to  all  the  usual  calculations  that  are 
made  on  the  choice  of  a  man  of  self-denial,  he  was 
then  united  to  a  youthful  and  gay  Episcopalian, 
who  had  uttle,  besides  her  exquisite  beauty  and 
good  blood,  to  recommend  her.  By  this  lady  he 
had  four  children,  three  sons  and  a  daughter, 
when  he  also  was  laid  in  the  vault,  by  the  side  ot 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  67 

his  deceased  parent.  The  eldest  of  these  sons 
was  yet  a  boy  when  he  was  called  to  the  mother- 
country,  to  inherit  the  estates  and  honours  of  his 
family.  The  second,  named  Reginald,  who  was 
bred  to  arms,  married,  had  a  son,  and  lost  his  life 
in  the  wilds  where  he  was  required  to  serve,  be 
fore  he  was  five-and-twenty.  The  third  was  the 
grandfather  of  Agnes  Danforth  ;  and  the  daugh 
ter  was  Mrs.  Lechmere. 

The  family  of  Lincoln,  considering  the  shortness 
of  their  marriages,  had  been  extremely  prolific, 
while  in  the  colonies,  according  to  that  wise  allot 
ment  of  providence,  which  ever  seems  to  regulate 
the  functions  of  our  nature  by  our  wants  ;  but  the 
instant  it  was  reconvened  to  the  populous  island  oi< 
Britain,  it  entirely  lost  its  reputation  for  fruitful- 
ness.  Sir  Lionel  lived  to  a  good  age,  married,  but 
died  childless,  notwithstanding  when  his  body  lay  in 
state,  it  was  under  a  splendid  roof,  and  in  halls  so 
capacious  that  they  would  have  afforded  comfort 
able  shelter  to  the  whole  family  of  Priam. 

By  this  fatality  it  became  necessary  to  cross  the 
Atlantic  once  more,  to  find  an  heir  to  the  wide  do 
mains  of  Ravenscliffe,  and  to  one  of  the  oldest 
baronetcies  in  the  kingdom. 

We  have  planted  and  reared  this  genealogical 
tree,  to  but  little  purpose,  if  it  be  necessary  to  tell 
the  reader,  that  the  individual  who  had  now  be 
come  the  head  of  his  race,  was  the  orphan  son  of 
the  deceased  officer.  He  was  married,  and  the 
father  of  one  blooming  boy,  when  this  elevation, 
which  was  not  unlooked  for,  occurred.  Leaving 
his  wife  and  child  behind  him,  Sir  Lionel  imme 
diately  proceeded  to  England,  to  assert  his  rights 
and  secure  his  possessions.  As  he  was  the  nephew, 
and  acknowledged  heir  of  the  late  incumbent,  he 
met  with  no  opposition  to  the  more  important  parts 
of  his  claims.  Across  the  character  and  fortunes  of 


68  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

this  gentleman,  however,  a  dark  cloud  had  early 
passed,  which  prevented  the  common  eye  from 
reading  the  events  of  his  life,  like  those  of  other 
men,  in  its  open  and  intelligible  movements.  Af 
ter  his  accession  to  fortune  and  rank,  but  little  was 
known  of  him,  even  by  his  earliest  and  most  inti 
mate  associates.  It  was  rumoured,  it  is  true,  that 
he  had  been  detained  in  England,  for  two  years, 
by  a  vexatious  contention  for  a  petty  appendage 
to  his  large  estates,  a  controversy  which  was,  how 
ever,  known  to  have  been  decided  in  his  favour, 
before  he  was  recalled  to  Boston  by  the  sudden 
death  of  his  wife.  This  calamity  befell  him  during 
the  period  when  the  war  of  '56  was  raging  in  its 
greatest  violence :  a  time  when  the  energies  of  the 
colonies  were  directed  to  the  assistance  of  the  mo 
ther-country,  who,  according  to  the  language  of 
the  day,  \vas  zealously  endeavouring  to  defeat  the 
ambitious  views  of  the  French,  in  this  hemisphere; 
or,  what  amounted  to  the  same  thing  in  effect,  in 
struggling  to  advance  her  own. 

It  was  an  interesting  period;  when  the  mild  and 
peaceful  colonists  were  seen  to  shake  off  their 
habits  of  forbearance,  and  to  enter  into  the 
strife  with  an  alacrity  and  spirit  that  soon  emu 
lated  the  utmost  daring  of  their  more  practised 
confederates.  To  the  amazement  of  all  who 
knew  his  fortunes,  Sir  Lionel  Lincoln  was  seen  to 
embark  in  many  of  the  most  desperate  adven 
tures  that  distinguished  the  war,  with  a  hardihood 
that  rather  sought  death  than  courted  honour. 
He  had  been,  like  his  father,  trained  to  arms,  but 
the  regiment  in  which  he  held  the  commission  of 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  was  serving  his  master  in  the 
most  eastern  of  his  dominions,  while  the  uneasy 
soldier  was  thus  rushing  from  point  to  point,  haz 
arding  his  life,  and  more  than  once  shed'ding 
his  blood,  in  the  enterprises  that  signalized  the 
war  in  his  most  western. 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  69 

This  dangerous  career,  however,  was  at  length 
suddenly  and  mysteriously  checked.  By  the  in 
fluence  of  some  powerful  agency,  that  was  never 
explained,  the  Baronet  was  induced  to  take  his 
son,  and  embark  once  more  f  =r  the  land  of  their 
fathers,  from  which  the  former  had  never  been 
known  to  return.  For  many  years,  all  those  in 
quiries  which  the  laudable  curiosity  of  the  towns 
men  and  towns- women  of  Mrs.  Lechmere, prompt 
ed  them  to  make,  concerning  the  fate  of  her  ne 
phew,  (and  we  leave  each  of  our  readers  to  deter 
mine  their  numbers,)  were  answered  by  that  lady 
with  the  most  courteous  reserve  ;  and  sometimes 
with  such  exhibitions  of  emotion,  as  we  have  al 
ready  attempted  to  describe  in  her  first  interview 
with  his  son.  But  constant  dropping  will  wear 
away  a  stone.  At  first  there  were  rumours  that 
the  Baronet  had  committed  treason,  and  had  been 
compelled  to  exchange  RavensclifFe  for  a  less 
comfortable  dwelling  in  the  Tower  of  London. 
This  report  was  succeeded  by  that  of  an  unfor 
tunate  private  marriage  with  one  of  the  Prin 
cesses  of  the  House  of  Brunswick  ;  but  a  refer 
ence  to  the  calendars  of  the  day,  showed  that 
there  was  no  lady  of  a  suitable  age  disengaged, 
and  this  amour,  so  creditable  to  the  provinces, 
was  necessarily  abandoned.  Finally,  the  asser 
tion  was  made  with  much  more  of  the  confidence 
of  thath,  that  the  unhappy  Sir  Lionel  was  the  ten 
ant  of  a  private  mad-house. 

The  instant  this  rumour  was  circulated,  a  film 
fell  from  every  eye,  and  none  were  so  blind  as  not 
to  have  seen  indications  of  insanity  in  the  Baro 
net  long  before ;  and  not  a  few  were  enabled  to 
trace  his  legitimate  right  to  lunacy  through  the 
hereditary  bias  of  his  race.  To  account  for  its 
sudden  exhibition,  was  a  more  difficult  task,  and 
exercised  the  ingenuity  of  an  exceedingly  inge 
nious  people,  for  a  long  period. 


70  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

The  more  sentimental  part  of  the  community, 
such  as  the  maidens  and  bachelors,  and  those 
votaries  of  Hymen  who  had  twice  and  thrice 
proved  the  solacing  power  of  the  god,  did  not 
fail  to  ascribe  the  misfortune  of  the  Baronet  to 
the  unhappy  loss  of  his  wife ;  a  lady  to  whom  he 
was  known  to  be  most  passionately  attached.  A 
few,  the  relicts  of  the  good  old  school,  under 
whose  intellectual  sway  the  incarnate  persons  of 
so  many  godless  dealers  in  necromancy  had  been 
made  to  expiate  for  their  abominations,  pointed 
to  the  calamity  as  a  merited  punishment  on  the 
backslidings  of  a  family  that  had  once  known  the 
true  faith  ;  while  a  third,  and  by  no  means  a  small 
class,  composed  of  those  worthies  who  braved  the 
elements  in  King-street,  in  quest  of  filthy  lucre, 
did  not  hesitate  to  say,  that  the  sudden  acquisition 
of  vast  wealth  had  driven  many  a  better  man 
mad.  But  the  time  was  approaching,  when  the 
apparently  irresistible  propensity  to  speculate  on 
the  fortunes  of  a  fellow-creature  was  made  to  yield 
to  more  important  considerations.  The  hour  soon 
arrived  when  the  merchant  forgot  his  momentary 
interests  to  look  keenly  into  the  distant  effects 
that  were  to  succeed  the  movements  of  the  day ; 
which  taught  the  fanatic  the  wholesome  lesson, 
that  providence  smiled  most  beneficently  on  those 
who  most  merited,  by  their  own  efforts,  its  favours ; 
and  which  even  purged  the  breast  of  the  senti 
mentalist  of  its  sickly  tenant,  to  be  succeeded  by 
the  healthy  and  ennobling  passion  of  love  of 
country. 

It  was  about  this  period  that  the  contest  for 
principle  between  the  parliament  of  Great  Bri 
tain,  and  the  colonies  of  North  America,  com 
menced,  that  in  time  led  to  those  important  re 
sults  which  have  established  a  new  era  in  political 
liberty,  as  well  as  a  mighty  empire.  A  brief  glance 
at  the  nature  of  this  controversy  may  assist  in  rert- 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  71 

dering  many  of  the  allusions  in  this  legend  more 
intelligible  to  some  of  its  readers. 

The  increasing  wealth  of  the  provinces  had  at 
tracted  the  notice  of  the  English  ministry  so  early 
as  the  year  1763.     In  that  year  the  first  effort 
to  raise  a  revenue  which  was  to  meet  the  exigen 
cies  of  the  empire,  was  attempted  by  the  passage 
t)f  a  law  to  impose  a  duty  on  certain  stamped  pa 
per,  which  was  made  necessary  to  give  validity  to 
contracts.    This  method  of  raising  a  revenue  was 
not  new  in  itself,  nor  was  the  imposition  heavy  in 
amount.     But  the  Americans,  not  less  sagacious 
than  wary,-  perceived  at  a  glance  the  importance 
of  the  principles  involved  in  the  admission  of  a 
right  as  belonging  to  any  body  to  lay  taxes,  in 
which   they   were   not  represented.     The  ques 
tion  was  not  without  its  difficulties,  but  the  direct 
and  plain  argument  was  clearly  on  the  side  of  the 
colonists.     Aware  of  the  force  of  their  reasons, 
and  perhaps  a  little  conscious  of  the  strength  of 
their  numbers,  they  approached  the  subject  with 
a  spirit  which  betokened  this  consciousness,  but 
with  a  coolness  that  denoted  the  firmness  of  their 
purpose.     After  a  struggle  of  nearly  two  years, 
during  which  the  law  was  rendered  completely 
profitless  by  the  unanimity  among  the  people,  as 
well  as  by  a  species  of  good-humoured  violence 
that  rendered   it  exceedingly  inconvenient,  and 
perhaps  a  little  dangerous,  to  the  servants  of  the 
crown  to  exercise  their  obnoxious.functions,  the 
ministry  abandoned  the   measure.     But,  at  the? 
same  time  that  the  law  was  repealed,  the  parlia 
ment  maintained  its  right  to  bind  the  colonies 
in  all  cases  whatsoever,  by  recording  a  resolution 
to  that  effect  in  its  journals. 

That  an  empire,  whose  several  parts  were  sepa 
rated  by  oceans,  and  whose  interests  \vere  so  often 
conflicting,  should  become  unwieldy,  and  fall,  in 


72  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

time,  by  its  own  weight,  was  an  event  that  all  wise 
men  must  have  expected  to  arrive.  But,  that  the 
Americans  did  not  contemplate  such  a  division  at 
that  early  day,  may  be  fairly  inferred,  if  there  were 
no  other  testimony  in  the  matter,  by  the  quiet  and 
submission  that  pervaded  the  colonies  the  instant 
that  the  repeal  of  the  stamp  act  was  known.  Had 
any  desire  for  premature  independence  existed, 
the  parliament  had  unwisely  furnished  abundant 
fuel  to  feed  the  flame,  in  the  very  resolution 
already  mentioned.  But,  satisfied  with  the  solid 
advantages  they  had  secured,  peaceful  in  their 
habits,  and  loyal  in  their  feelings,  the  colonists 
laughed  at  the  empty  dignity  of  their  self-consti 
tuted  rulers,  while  they  congratulated  each  other 
on  their  own  more  substantial  success.  If  the 
besotted  servants  of  the  king  had  learned  wis 
dom  by  the  past,  the  storm  would  have  blown 
over,  and  another  age  would  have  witnessed  the 
events  which  we  are  about  to  relate.  Things 
were  hardly  suffered,  however,  to  return  to  their 
old  channels  again,  before  the  ministry  attempted 
to  revive  their  claims  by  new  impositions.  The 
design  to  raise  a  revenue  had  been  defeated  in  the 
case  of  the  stamp  act,  by  the  refusal  of  the  colo 
nists  to  use  the  paper;  but  in  the  present  instance, 
expedients  were  adopted,  which,  it  was  thought, 
would  be  more  effective — as  in  the  case  of  tea,, 
where  the  duty  was  paid  by  the  East-India  Compa 
ny  in  the  first  instance,  and  the  exaction  was  to  be 
made  on  the  Americans,  through  their  appetites. 
These  new  innovations  on  their  rights,  were  met  by 
the  colonists  with  the  same  promptitude,  but  with 
much  more  of  seriousness  than  in  the  former  in 
stances.  All  the  provinces  south  of  the  Great  Lakes, 
acted  in  concert  on  this  occasion;  and  preparations 
were  made  to  render  not  only  their  remonstrances 
and  petitions  more  impressive  by  a  unity  of  action3, 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  73 

but  their  more  serious  struggles  also,  should  an 
appeal  to  force  become  necessary.  The  tea  was 
stored  or  sent  back  to  England,  in  most  cases, 
though  in  the  town  of  Boston,  a  concurrence  of 
circumstances  led  to  the  violent  measure,  on  the 
part  of  the  people,  of  throwing  a  large  quantity  of 
the  offensive  article  into  the  sea.  To  punish  this 
act,  which  took  place  in  the  early  part  of  1774,  the 
port  of  Boston  was  closed,  and  different  laws  were 
enacted  in  parliament,  which  were  intended  to 
bring  the  people  back  to  a  sense  of  their  depen- 
dence  on  the  British  power. 

Although  the  complaints  of  the  colonists  were 
hushed  during  the  short  interval  that  had  succeed 
ed  the  suspension  of  the  efforts  of  the  ministry  to 
tax  them,  the  feelings  of  alienation  which  were  en 
gendered  by  the  attempt,  had  not  time  to  be  lost 
before  the  obnoxious  subject  was  revived  in  its 
new  shape.  From  1763,  to  the  period  of  our 
tale,  all  the  younger  part  of  the  population  of  the 
provinces  had  grown  into  manhood,  but  they  were 
no  longer  imbued  with  that  profound  respect  for 
the  mother  country  which  had  been  transmitted 
from  their  ancestors,  or  with  that  deep  loyalty  to 
the  crown  that  usually  characterizes  a  people  who 
view  the  pageant  of  royalty  through  the  medium 
of  distance.  Still,  those  who  guided  the  feelings, 
and  controlled  the  judgments  of  the  Americans, 
xvere  averse  to  a  dismemberment  of  the  empire,  a 
measure  which  they  continued  to  believe  both  im 
politic  and  unnatural. 

In  the  mean  time,  though  equally  reluctant  to 
shed  blood,  the  adverse  parties  prepared  for  that 
.final  struggle  which  seemed  to  be  unavoidably  ap 
proaching.  The  situation  of  the  colonies  was  now 
so  peculiar,  that  it  may  be  doubted  whether  histo 
ry  furnishes  a  precise  parallel.  Their  fealty  to 
the  prince  was  everywhere  acknowledged,  while 


T4  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

the  laws  which  emanated  from  his  counsellors 
were  sullenly  disregarded  and  set  at  naught. 
Each  province  possessed  its  distinct  government, 
and  in  most  of  them  the  political  influence  of  the 
crown  was  direct  and  great ;  but  ihe  time  had 
arrived  when  it  was  superseded  by  a  moral  feel 
ing  that  defied  the  machinations  and  intrigues  of 
the  ministry.  Such  of  the  provincial  legislature? 
as  possessed  a  majority  of  the  "  Sons  of  Liberty," 
as  they  who  resisted  the  unconstitutional  attempts 
of  the  ministry  were  termed,  elected  delegates  to 
meet  in  a  general  congress  to  consult  on  the  ways 
and  means  of  effecting  the  common  objects.  In  one 
or  two  provinces  where  the  inequality  of  represen 
tation  afforded  a  different  result,  the' people  suppli 
ed  the  deficiencies  by  acting  in  their  original  capa 
city.  This  body,  meeting,  unlike  conspirators,  with 
the  fearless  confidence  of  integrity,  and  acting  un 
der  theexcitementof  a  revolution  in  sentiment,  pos 
sessed  an  influence,  which,  at  a  later  day,  has  been 
denied  to  their  more  legally  constituted  successors. 
Their  recommendations  possessed  all  the  validity 
of  laws,  without  incurring  their  odium.  While,  as 
the  organ  of  their  fellow-subjects,  they  still  con 
tinued  to  petition  and  remonstrate,  they  did  not, 
forget  to  oppose,  by  such  means  as  were  then 
thought  expedient,  the  oppressive  measures  of  th<- 
ministry. 

An  association  was  recommended  to  the  peo 
ple,  for  those  purposes  that  are  amply  expresseti 
in  the  three  divisions  which  were  significantly 
given  to  the  subjects,  in  calling  them  by  thr 
several  names  of  '  non-importation,'  '  non-expor 
tation,'  and  'non-consumption  resolutions.'  Theso 
negative  expedients  were  all  that,  was  constitu 
tionally  in  their  power,  and  throughout  the  whole 
controversy,  there  had  been  a  guarded  care. 
not  to  exceed  the  limits  which  the  laws  had  affix- 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  75 

cd  to  the  rights  of  the  subject.  Though  no  overt 
act  of  resistance  was  committed,  they  did  not, 
however,  neglect  such  means  as  were  attaina 
ble,  to  be  prepared  for  the  last  evil,  whenever 
it  should  arrive.  In  this  manner  a  feeling  of  re 
sentment  and  disaffection  was  daily  increasing 
throughout  the  provinces,  while  in  Massachusetts 
Bay,  the  m-ire  immediate  scene  of  our  story,  the 
disorder  in  the  body  politic  seemed  to  be  inevit- 
^ably  gathering  to  its  head. 

The  great  principles  of  the  controversy  had 
teen  blended,  in  different  places,  with  various 
causes  of  local  complaint,  and  in  none  more  than 
in  the  town  of  Boston.  The  inhabitants  of  this 
place  had  been  distinguished  for  an  early,  open, 
and  fearless  resistance  to  the  ministry.  An  armed 
force  had  long  been  thought  necessary  to  intimi 
date  this  spirit,  to  effect  which  the  troops  were 
drawn  from  different  p-.irts  of  the  provinces,  and 
concentrated  in  this  devoted  town.  Early  in  1774, 
a  military  man  was  placed  in  the  executive  chair  of 
the  province,  and  an  attitude  of  more  determina 
tion  was  assumed  by  the  government.  One  of  the 
first  acts  of  this  gentleman,  who  held  the  high 
station  of  Lieutenant-General,  and  who  com 
manded  all  the  forces  of  the  king  in  America, 
\vas  to  dissolve  the  colonial  assembly.  About  the 
same  time  a  new  charter  was  sent  from  England, 
and  a  material  change  was  contemplated  in  the 
polity  of  the  colonial  government.  From  this 
moment  the  power  of  the  king,  though  it  was  not 
denied,  became  suspended  in  the  province.  A  pro 
vincial  congress  was  elected,  and  assembled  with 
in  seven  leagues  of  the  capital,  where  they  con 
tinued,  from  time  to  time,  to  adopt  such  measures 
as  the  exigencies  of  the  times  were  thought  to 
render  necessary.  Men  were  enrolled,  disciplin 
ed,  and  armed,  as  well  as  the  imperfect  means  of 
the  colony  would  allow.  These  troops,  who 


76  LIONEL  LINCOLN. 

were  no  more  than  the  elite  of  the  inhabitants, 
had  little  else  to  recommend  them  besides  their 
spirit,  and  their  manual  dexterity  with  fire-arms. 
From  the  expected  nature  of  their  service,  they 
were  not  unaptly  termed  "  minute-men."  The 
munitions  of  war  were  seized,  and  hoarded  with  a 
care  and  diligence  that  showed  the  character  of 
the  impending  conflict. 

On  the  other  hand,  General  Gage  adopted  a 
similar  course  of  preparation  and  prevention,  by 
fortifying  himself  in  the  strong  hold  which  he 
possessed,  and  by  anticipating  the  intentions  of 
the  colonists,  in  their  attempts  to  form  magazines, 
whenever  it  was  in  his  power.  He  had  an  easy 
task  in  the  former,  both  from  the  natural  situation 
of  the  place  IIP  occupied,  and  thfi  species  offeree 
he  commanded. 

Surrounded  by  broad  and  chiefly  by  deep 
waters,  except  at  one  extremely  narrow  point, 
and  possessing  its  triple  hills,  which  are  not 
commanded  by  any  adjacent  eminences,  the 
peninsula  of  Boston  could,  with  a  competent 
garrison,  easily  be  made  impregnable,  especial 
ly  when  aided  by  a  superior  fle^et.  The  works 
erected  by  the  English  General  were,  however. 
by  no  means  of  magnitude,  for  it  was  well  known 
that  the  whole  park  of  the  colonists  could  not  ex 
ceed  some  half  dozen  pieces  of  field  artillery, 
with  a  small  battering  train  that  must  be  entirely 
composed  of  old  and  cumbrous  ship  guns.  Conse 
quently,  when  iLionel  arrived  in  Boston,  he  found  a 
few  batteries  thrown  up  on  the  eminences,  some  of 
which  were  intended  as  much  to  control  the  town, 
as  to  repel  an  enemy  from  without,  while  lines 
were  drawn  across  the  neck  which  communicated 
with  the  main.  The  garrison  consisted  of  some 
thing  less  than  five  thousand  men,  besides  which, 
there  was  a  fluctuating  force  of  seamen  and  ma 
rines,  as  the  vessels  of  war  arrived  and  departed. 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  77 

All  this  timp,  there  was  no  other  interruption  to 
the  intercourse  between  the  town  and  the  country, 
than  such  as  unavoidably  succeeded  the  stagnation 
of  trade,  and  the  distrust  engendered  by  the  aspect 
of  affairs.  Though  numberless  families  had  de 
serted  their  homes,  many  known  whigs  continued 
to  dwell  in  their  habitations,  where  their  ears  were 
deafened  by  the  sounds  of  the  British  drums,  and 
where  their  spirits  were  but  too  often  galled  by 
the  sneers  of  the  officers,  on  the  uncouth  military 
preparations  of  their  countrymen.  Indeed  an  im 
pression  had  spread  further  than  among  the  idle 
and  thoughtless  youths  of  the  army,  that  the  colo 
nists  were  but  little  gifted  with  martial  qualities; 
and  many  of  their  best  friends  in  Europe  were  in 
dread  lest  an  appeal  to  force  should  put  the  con 
tested  points  forever  at  rest,  by  proving  the  in- 
competency  of  the  Americans  to  maintain  them 
to  the  last  extremity. 

In  this  manner  both  parties  stood  at  bay ;  the 
people  living  in  perfect  order  and  quiet,  without 
the  administration  of  law,  sullen,  vigilant,  and, 
through  their  leaders,  secretly  alert ;  and  the  ar 
my,  gay,  haughty,  and  careless  of  the  consequen 
ces,  though  far  from  being  oppressive  or  inso 
lent,  until  after  the  defeat  of  one  or  two  abortive 
excursions  into  the  country  in  quest  of  arms. 
Each  hour,  however,  was  rapidly  adding  to  the 
disaffection  on  one  side,  and  to  the  contempt  and 
resentment  on  the  other,  through  numberless  pub 
lic  and  private  causes,  that  belong  rather  to  his* 
tory  than  to  a  legend  like  this.  All  extraordinary 
occupations  were  suspended,  and  men  awaited 
the  course  of  things  in  anxious  expectation.  It  was 
Jinown  that  the  parliament,  instead  of  retracing 
their  political  errors,  had  imposed  new  restraints, 
and,  as  has  been  mentioned,  it  was  also  rumoured 


78  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

(hat  regiments  and  fleets  were  on  their  way  to  en 
force  them. 

How  long  a  country  could  exist  in  such  a  pri 
meval  condition,  remained  to  be  seen,  though  it 
was  difficult  to  say  when  or  how  it  was  to  termi 
nate.  The  people  of  the  land  appeared  to  slum 
ber,  but,  like  vigilant  and  wary  soldiers,  they  might 
be  said  to  sleep  on  their  arms ;  while  the  troops 
assumed  each  day,  more  of  that  fearful  prepara 
tion,  which  gives,  even  to  the  trained  warrior,  a 
more  martial  aspect — though  both  parties  still 
continued  to  manifest  a  becoming  reluctance  to 
shed  blood. 


CHAPTER  VI. 


C!  Would  he  were  fatter : — but  I  fear  him  not  :— 
"  Seldom  he  smiles  ;  and  smiles  in  such  a  sort, 
"  As  if  he  mocked  himself,  and  scorned  his  spirit 
"  That  could  be  moved  to  smile  at  any  thing." 

Julius 


IN  the  course  of  the  succeediag  week  Lione* 
acquired  a  knowledge  of  many  minor  circum 
stances  relating  to  the  condition  of  the  colonies, 
which  may  be  easily  imagined  as  incidental  to 
the  times,  but  which  would  greatly  exceed  our 
limits  to  relate.  He  was  received  by  his  brethren 
in  arms  with  that  sort  of  cordiality  that  a  rich, 
high-spirited,  and  free,  if  notajovial  comrade,  was 
certain  of  meeting  among  men  who  lived  chiefly 
fbr  pleasure  and  appearance.  Certain  indications 
of  more  than  usually  important  movements  were 
discovered  among  the  troops,  the  first  day  of  the 
week,  and  his  own  condition  in  the  army  was  in 
some  measure  affected  by  the  changes.  Instead 
of  joining  his  particular  regiment,  he  was  order 
ed  to  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  take  a  com 
mand  in  the  light  corps  which  had  begun  its 
drill  for  the  service  that  was  peculiar  to  such 
troops.  As  it  was  well  known  that  Boston  was 
Major  Lincoln's  place  of  nativity,  the  'com- 
mander-in-chief,  with  the  indulgence  and  kind 
ness  of  his  character,  granted  to  him,  how- 


30  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

ever,  a  short  respite  from  duty,  in  order  that 
he  might  indulge  in  the  feelings  natural  to  his 
situation.  It  was  soon  generally  understood,  that 
major  Lincoln,  though  intending  to  serve  with  the 
army  in  America,  should  the  sad  alternative  of  an 
appeal  tu  arms  become  necessary,  had  permis 
sion  to  amuse  himself  in  such  a  manner  as  he 
saw  fit,  for  two  months  from  the  date  of  his  ar 
rival.  Those  who  affected  to  be  more  wise  than 
common,  saw,  or  thought  they  saw,  in  this  ar 
rangement,  a  deep  laid  plan  on  the  part  of  Gage, 
to  use  the  influence  and  address  of  the  young  pro 
vincial  among  his  connexions  and  natural  friends, 
to  draw  them  back  to  those  sentiments  of  loyalty 
which  it  was  feared  so  many  among  them  had  for 
gotten  to  entertain.  But  it  was  the  characteristic 
of  the  times  to  attach  importance  to  trifling  inci 
dents,  and  to  suspect  a  concealed  policy  in  move 
ments  which  emanated  only  in  inclination. 

There  was  nothing,  however,  in  the  deport 
ment,  or  manner  of  life  adopted  by  Lionel,  to 
justify  any  of  these  conjectures.  He  continued 
to  dwell  in  the  house  of  Mrs.  Lechmere,  in  per 
son,  though,  unwilling  to  burthen  the  hospitality 
of  his  aunt  too  heavily,  he  had  taken  lodging? 
in  a  dwelling  at  no  great  distance,  where  his  ser 
vants  resided,  and  where,  it  was  generally  under 
stood,  that  his  visits  of  ceremony  and  friendship 
were  to  be  received.  Captain  Pohvarth  did  not 
fail  to  complain  loudly  of  this  arrangement,  a« 
paralyzing  at  once  all  the  advantages  he  had 
anticipated  from  enjoying  the  entre  to  the  dwell 
ing  of  his  mistress,  in  the  right  of  his  friend.  But 
as  the  establishment  of  Lionel  was  supported  with 
much  of  that  liberality  which  was  becoming  in  n 
youth  of  his  large  fortune,  the  exuberant  light- 
infantry  officer  found  many  sources  of  consola 
tion  in  the  change,  which  could  not  have  existed, 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  81 

had  the  staid  Mrs.  Lechmere  presided  over  the 
domestic  department.  Lionel  and  Polwarth  had 
been  boys  together  at  the  same  school,  members  of 
the  same  college  at  Oxford,  and  subsequently  for 
many  years,  comrades  in  the  same  corps.  Though, 
perhaps,  no  two  men  in  their  regiment  were  more 
essentially  different,  in  mental  as  well  as  physical 
constitution,  yet,  by  that  unaccountable  caprice 
which  causes  us  to  like  our  opposites,  it  is  certain 
that  no  two  gentlemen  in  the  service  were  known 
to  be  on  better  terms,  or  to  maintain  a  more  close 
and  unreserved  intimacy-  It  is  unnecessary  to 
dilate  here  on  this  singular  friendship ;  it  occurs 
every  day,  between  men  still  more  discordant, 
the  result  of  accident  and  habit,  and  is  often, 
as  in  the  present  instance,  cemented  by  uncon 
querable  good  nature  in  one  of  the  parties.  For 
this  latter  qualification,  captain  Polwarth  was 
eminent,  if  for  no  other.  It  contributed  quite  as 
much  as  his  science  in  the  art  of  living,  to  the 
thriving  condition  of  the  corporeal  moiety  of  the 
man,  and  it  rendered  a  communion  with  the  less 
material  part  at  all  times  inoffensive,  if  not  agree 
able. 

On  the  present  occasion,  the  captain  took 
charge  of  the  internal  economy  of  Lionel's  lodg 
ings,  with  a  zeal  which  he  did  not  even  pretend 
was  disinterested.  By  the  rules  of  the  regiment  he 
was  compelled  to  live  nominally  with  the  mess, 
where  he  found  his  talents  and  his  wishes  fetter 
ed  by  divers  indispensable  regulations,  and  eco 
nomical  practices,  that  could  not  be  easily  over 
leaped;  but  with  Lionel,  just  such  an  oppor 
tunity  offered  for  establishing  rules  of  his  own, 
and  disregarding  expenditure,  as  he  had  been 
long  pining  for  in  secret.  Though  the  poor  of 
the  town  were,  in  the  absence  of  employment,  ne 
cessarily  supported  by  large  contributions  of  mo 
ney,  clothing,  and  food,  which  were  transmitted  to 


tf2  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

their  aid  from  the  furthermost  parts  of  the  colo 
nies,  the  markets  were  not  yet  wanting  in  all  the 
necessaries  of  life,  to  those  who  enjoyed  the  means 
of  purchasing.  With  this  disposition  of  things, 
therefore,  he  became  well  content,  and  within  the 
first  fortnight  after  the  arrival  of  Lionel,  it  be 
came  known  to  the  mess,  that  captain  Polwarth 
took  his  dinners  regularly  with  his  old  friend,  ma 
jor  Lincoln  ;  though  in  truth  the  latter  was  enjoy 
ing,  more  than  half  the  time,  the  hospitality  of  the 
respective  tables  of  the  officers  of  the  stair.  * 

In   the   mean  time  Lionel  cultivated    his  ac 
quaintance  in  Tremont-street,  where  he  still  slept, 
with  an  interest  and  assiduity  that  the  awkwardness 
of  his  first  interview  would  not  have  taught  us  to 
expect.     With  Mrs.  Lechrnere,  it  is  true,  he  made 
but  little  progress  in  intimacy ;  for,  equally  for 
mal,  though  polite,  she  was  at  all  times  enshrouded 
in  a  cloud  of  artificial,   but  cold   management, 
that  gave  him  little  opportunity,  had  he  possess 
ed  the  desire,  to  break  through  tl>e  reserve  of  her 
calculating  temperament.     VV'ith  his  more  youth 
ful  kinswomen,  the  case  was,  however,  in  a  very 
few  days,  entirely  reversed.  Agnes  Danforth,  who 
had  nothing  to  conceal,  began  insensibly  to  yield 
to  the  manliness  and  grace  of  his  manner,  and  be 
fore  the  end  of  the  first  week,  she  maintained  the 
rights  of  the  colonists,  laughed  at  the  follies  of  the 
officers,  and  then  acknowledged  her  own  prejudi 
ces,  with  a  familiarity  and  good-humour  that  soon 
made  her,  iii  her  turn,  a  favourite  with  her  Eng 
lish  cousin,  as  she  termed  Lionel.     But  he  found 
the  demeanor  of  Cecil  Dynevor  much  more  em 
barrassing,  if  not    inexplicable.     For  days  she 
would  be  distant,  silent,  and  haughty,  and  then 
again,  as  it  were  by  sudden    impulses,  she  be 
came  easy  and  natural ;    her  whole  soul  beam 
ing  in  her  speaking  eyes,  or  her   innocent  and 


LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

merry  humour  breaking  through  the  bounds  of" 
her  restraint,  and  rendering  not  only  herself,  but 
all  around  her,  happy  and  delighted.  Full  many 
an  hour  did  Lionel  ponder  on  this  unaccount 
able  difference  in  the  manner  of  this  young  lady, 
at  different  moments.  There  was  a  secret  excite 
ment  in  the  very  caprices  of  her  humours,  that 
had  a  piquant  interest  in  his  eyes,  and  which, 
aided  by  her  exquisite  form  and  intelligent  face, 
gradually  induced  him  to  become  a  more  close 
observer  of  their  waywardness,  and  consequently 
a  more  assiduous  attendant  on  her  movements. 
In  consequence  of  this  assiduity,  the  manner  of 
Cecil  grew,  almost  imperceptibly,  less  variable, 
and  more  uniformly  fascinating,  while  Lionel,  by 
some  unaccountable  oversight,  soon  forgot  to  note 
its  changes,  or  even  to  miss  the  excitement. 

In  a  mixed  society,  where  pleasure,  company, 
and  a  multitude  of  objects  conspired  to  distract 
the  attention,  such  alterations  would  be  the  re 
sult  of  an  intercourse  for  months,  if  they  ever 
occurred  ;  but  in  a  town  like  Boston,  from  which 
most  of  those  with  whom  Cecil  had  once  mingled 
were  already  fled,  and  where,  consequently,  those 
who  remained  behind,  lived  chiefly  for  themselves 
and  by  themselves,  it  was  no  more  than  the  obvi 
ous  effect  of  very  apparent  causes.  In  this  man 
ner  something  like  good-will,  if  not  a  deeper 
interest  in  each  other,  was  happily  effected  with 
in  that  memorable  fortnight,  which  was  teeming 
with  events  vastly  more  important  in  their  result? 
than  any  that  can  appertain  to  the  fortunes  of 
a  single  family. 

The  winter  of  1774-5  had  been  as  remarkable 
for  its  mildness,  as  the  spring  was  cold  and  linger 
ing.  Like  every  season  in  our  changeable  climate, 
however,  the  chilling  days  of  March  and  April 
were  intermingled  with  some,  when  a  genial  sUn 


84  LIONET.   LINCOLN. 

recalled  the  ideas  of  summer,  which,  in  their 
turn,  were  succeeded  by  others,  when  the  torrents 
of  cold  rain  that  drove  before  the  easterly  gales, 
would  seem  to  repel  every  advance  toward  a 
milder  temperature.  Many  of  those  stormy  days 
occurred  in  the  middle  of  April,  and  during  their 
continuance  Lionel  was  necessarily  compelled  to 
keep  himself  housed. 

He  had  retired  from  the  parlour  of  Mrs.  Lech- 
mere,  one  evening,  when  the  rain  was  beating 
against  the  windows  of  the  house,  in  nearly  hori 
zontal  lines,  to  complete  some  letters  which, 
before  dining,  he  had  commenced  to  the  agent 
of  his  family,  in  England.  On  entering  his 
own  apartment,  he  was  startled  to  find  the 
room,  which  he  had  left  vacant,  and  which  he 
expected  to  find  in  the  same  state,  occupied  in  a 
manner  that  he  could  not  anticipate.  The  light 
of  a  strong  wood  fire  was  blazing  on  the  hearth, 
and  throwing  about,  in  playful  changes,  the  flick 
ering  shadows  of  the  furniture,  and  magnifying 
each  object  into  some  strange  and  fantastical  figure. 
As  he  stepped  within  the  door  his  eye  fell  upon  one 
of  these  shadows,  which  extended  along  the  wall, 
and  bending  against  the  cieling,  exhibited  the  gi 
gantic  but  certain  outlines  of  the  human  form.  Re 
collecting  that  he  had  left  his  letters  open,  and  a 
little  distrusting  the  discretion  of  Meriton,  Lionel 
advanced  lightly,  for  a  few  feet,  so  far  as  to  be 
able  to  look  round  llie  drapery  of  his  bed.  and  to 
his  amazement,  perceived  that  the  intruder  wan 
7iot  his  valet,  but  the  aged  stranger.  The  old  man 
sat  holding  in  his  hand  the  open  letter  which 
Lionel  had  been  writing,  and  continued  so  deeply 
absorbed  in  its  contents,  that  the  footsteps  of  the 
ether  were  still  disregarded.  A  large,  coarse 
over-coat,  dripping  with  water,  concealed  most  of 
his  person,  though  the  white  hairs  that  strayed 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  86 

about  his  face,  and  the  deep  lines  of  his  remarka 
ble  countenance  could  not  be  mistaken. 

"  I  was  ignorant  of  this  unexpected  visit,"  said 
Lionel,  advancing  quickly  into  the  centre  of  the 
room,  "  or  I  should  not  have  been  so  tardy  in  re 
turning  to  my  apartment,  where,  sir,  I  fear  you 
must  have  found  your  time  irksome,  with  ne- 
thing  but  that  scrawl  to  amuse  you." 

The  old  mat)  dropped  the  paper  from  before 
his  features,  and  betrayed,  by  the  action,  the  large 
drops  that  followed  each  other  down  his  hollow 
cheeks,  until  they  fell  even  to  the  floor.  The 
haughty  and  displeased  look  disappeared  from 
the  countenance  of  Lionel  at  this  sight,  and  he 
was  on  the  point  of  speaking  in  a  more  con 
ciliating  manner,  when  the  stranger,  whose  eye 
had  not  quailed  before  the  angry  frown  it  encoun 
tered,  anticipated  his  intention. 

"  I  comprehend  you,  major  Lincoln,"  he  said, 
calmly ;  "  but  there  can  exist  justifiable  reasons 
for  a  greater  breach  of  faith  than  this,  of  which 
you  accuse  me.  Accident,  and  not  intention, 
has  put  me  in  possession,  here,  of  your  most 
secret  thoughts  on  a  subject  that  has  deep  in 
terest  for  me.  You  have  urged  me  often,  during 
our  voyage,  to  make  you  acquainted  with  all 
that  you  most  desire  to  know,  to  which  request, 
as  you  may  remember,  I  have  ever  been  silent." 

"  You  have  said,  sir,  that  you  were  master  of  a 
secret  in  which  my  feelings,  I  will  acknowledge, 
are  deeply  interested,  and  I  have  urged  you  to  re 
move  m\  doubts  by  declaring  the  truth  ;  but  I  do 
not  perceive" — 

"  How  a  desire  to  possess  my  secret,  gives 
Hie  a  claim  to  inquire  into  yours,  you  would 
say,"  interrupted  the  stranger;  "  nor  does  it.  But 
an  interest  in  your  affairs,  that  you  cannot  yet 
understand,  and  which  is  vouched  for  by  these 

VOL.  i.  9 


86  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

scalding  tears,  the  first  that  have  fallen  in  years 
from  a  fountain  that  I  had  thought  dried,  should, 
and  must  satisfy  you." 

"  It  does,"  said  Lionel,  deeply  affected  by  the 
melancholy  tones  of  his  voice,  "  it  does,  it  does, 
and  1  will  listen  to  no  further  explanation  on  the 
unpleasant  subject.  You  see  nothing  there,  I  am 
sure,  of  which  a  son  can  have  reason  to  be 
ashamed." 

"  I  see  much  here,  Lionel  Lincoln,  of  which  a 
father  would  have  reason  to  be  proud,"  returned 
the  old  man.  "It  was  the  filial  love  which  you  have 
displayed  in  this  paper  which  has  drawn  these 
drops  from  my  eyes ;  for  he  who  has  lived  as 
1  have  done,  beyond  the  age  of  man,  without 
knowing  the  love  that  the  parent  feels  for  its 
offspring,  or  which  the  child  bears  to  the  au 
thor  of  its  being,  must  have  outlived  his  natu 
ral  sympathies,  not  to  be  conscious  of  his  mis 
fortune,  when  chance  makes  him  sensible  of 
affections  like  these." 

"You  have  never  been  a  father,  then?"  said 
Lionel,  drawing  a  chair  nigh  fo  his  aged  com 
panion,  and  seating  himself  with  an  air  of  power 
ful  interest,  that  he  could  not  control. 

"  Have  I  not  told  yon  that  I  am  alone  ?"  re 
turned  the  old  man,  with  a  solemn  manner.  Af 
ter  an  impressive  pause,  he  continued,  though  his 
tones  were  husky  and  low — "  I  have  been  both 
husband  and  parent,  in  my  day,  but  'tis  so  long 
since,  that  no  selfish  tie  remains  to  bind  me  to 
earth.  Old  age  is  the  neighbour  of  death,  and  the 
chill  of  the  grave  is  to  be  found  in  its  warmest 
breathings." 

"  Say  not  so,"  interrupted  Lionel,  "  for  you  dt» 
injustice  to  your  own  warm  nature — you  forget 
your  zeal  in  behalf  of  what  you  deem  these 
oppressed  colonies." 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  87 

"  'Tis  no  more  than  the  flickering  of  the  dy 
ing  lamp,  which  flares  and  dazzles  most,  when 
its  source  of  hrat  is  niftiest  to  extinction.  But 
though  I  may  not  infuse  into  your  bosom  a 
warmth  that  I  do  not  possess  myself,  1  can  point 
out  the  dangers  with  which  life  abounds,  and 
serve  as  a  beacon,  when  no  longer  useful  as  a 
pilot.  It  is  for  such  a  purpose,  Major  Lincoln, 
that  I  have  braved  the  tempest  of  to-night." 

"  Has  any  Uiiug  occurred,  which,  by  rendering 
danger  pressing,  can  make  such  an  exposure  ne 
cessary  '" 

"  Look  at  me,"  said  the  old  man  earnestly — 
"  I  have  seen  most  of  this  flourishing  country  a 
wilderness  ;  my  recollection  goes  back  into  those 
periods  when  the  savage,  and  the  beast  of  the 
forest,  contended  with  our  fathers  for  much  of  that 
soil  which  now  supports  its  hundreds  of  thou 
sands  in  plenty  ;  ai-d  my  time  is  to  be  numbered, 
not  by  ye HFS,  hut  Hy  ag^s  For  such  a  being, 
think  you  there  can  yet  be  many  months,  or 
weeks,  or  even  days  in  store  ?" 

Lionel  dropped  his  eyes,  in  embarrassment,  to 
the  floor,  41  s  he  answered — 

"  You  cannot  have  very  many  years,  surely,  to 
hope  for;  but  uiih  the  activity  and  temperance 
you  possess,  days  and  m'onths  confine  you,  1  trust, 
in  limits  much  too  small." 

"  What !"  exclaimed  the  other,  stretching  forth 
a  colourless  hand,  in  which  even  the  prominent 
veins  partook  in  the  appearance  of  a  general  de 
cay  of  nature;  "with  these  wasted  limbs,  these 
gray  hairs,  and  this  sunken  and  sepulchral  cheek, 
would  you  talk  to  me  of  years  !  to  me,  who  have 
not  the  effrontery  to  petition  for  even  minutes, 
were  they  worth  the  prayer — so  long  already  has 
been  my  probation !" 


38  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

"It  is  certainly  time  to  think  of  the  change, 
when  it  approaches  so  very  near." 

"  Well,  then,  Lionel  Lincoln,  old,  feeb'e,  and 
on  the  threshold  of  eternity  as  I  stand,  yet  am  I 
not  nearer  to  my  grave  than  that  c.-untry  to 
which  you  have  pledged  your  blood  is  to  a 
mighty  convulsion,  whirh  will  shake  her  institu 
tions  to  their  foundations." 

"I  cannot  admit  the  signs  of  the  times  to  be  quite 
so  portentous  as  your  fears  would  make  them," 
said  Lionel,  smiling  a  little  proudly.  "Though  the 
worst  that  is  apprehended  should  arrive,  England 
will  feel  the  shock  uut  as  the  earth  bears  an 
eruption  of  one  of  its  volcanoes  !  But  we  talk  in 
idle  figures,  Sir  ;  know  you  any  thing  to  justify 
the  apprehension  of  immediate  danger?" 

The  fa< -e  of  the  stranger  lighted  with  a  sudden 
and  startling  gleam  of  intelligence,  and  a  sarcas 
tic  smile  parsed  across  his  wan  features,  as  he  an 
swered  slowly  — 

"  They  only  have  cause  to  fear  v\ho  will  be  the 
losers  by  the  change  !  A  youth  who  casts  off  the 
trammels  of  his  guardian*  is  not  apt  to  doubt  his 
abiht)  to  govern  himself.  England  has  held  these 
colonies  so  long  in  leading-strings,  that  she  forgets 
her  offspring  is  able  to  go  alone." 

"Now,  Sir,  you  exceed  even  the  wild  projects 
of  the  most  daring  among  those  who  rail  them 
selves  the  '  Sons  of  Liberty' — as  if  liberty  existed 
in  any  place  more  favoured  or  more  nurtured  than 
under  the  bitted  constitution  of  England  !  The 
utmost  required  is  what  they  term  a  redress 
of  grievances,  many  of  which,  I  must  think,  exist 
only  in  imagination." 

"  Was  a  stone  ever  known  to  roll  upward  !  Let 
there  be  but  one  drop  «>f  American  blood  spilt 
in  anger,  and  its  stain  will  become  indelible." 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  89 

"  Unhappily,  the  experiment  has  been  already 
tried  ;  and  yet  years  have  rolled  by,  while  Eng 
land  keeps  her  footing  and  authority  good." 

"  Her  authority  !"  repeated  the  old  man  ;  "  see 
you  not,  Major  Lincoln,  in  the  forbearance  of  this 
people,  when  they  felt  themselves  in  the  wrong, 
the  existence  of  the  very  principles  that  will  ren 
der  them  invincible  and  unyielding  when  right  ? 
But  we  wa^te  our  time — I  came  to  conduct  you 
to  a  place  where,  with  your  own  ears,  and  with 
your  own  eyes,  you  may  hear,  and  see  a  little  of 
that  spirit  which  pervades  the  land — You  will 
follow  ?" 

"  Not  surely  in  such  a  tempest !" 

"This  tempest  is  but  a  trifle  to  that  which  is 
about  to  break  upon  you,  unless  you  retrace  your 
steps  ;  but  follow,  1  repeat;  if  a  man  of  my  years 
disregards  the  night,  ought  an  English  soldier  to 
hesitate  !" 

The  pride  of  Lionel  was  touched;  and  remem 
bering  an  engagement  he  had  previously  made 
with  his  aged  friend  to  accompany  him  to  a  scene 
like  this,  he  made  such  changes  in  his  dress 
as  would  serve  to  conceal  his  profession,  threw 
on  a  large  cloak  to  protect  his  person,  and 
was  about  to  lead  the  way  himself,  when  he  was 
aroused  by  the  voice  of  the  other. 

"  You  mistake  the  route,"  he  said  ;  "  this  is  to 
be  a  secret,  and  I  hope  a  profitable  visit — none 
must  know  of  your  presence ;  and  if  you  are  a 
worthy  son  of  your  honourable  father,  I  need 
hardly  add  that  my  faith  is  pledged  for  your  dis 
cretion." 

"  The  pledge  will  be  respected,  Sir,"  said  Lio 
nel,  haughtily  ;  "  but  in  order  to  see  what  you 
wish,  we  are  not  to  remain  here  ?" 

"  Follow,  then,  and  be  silent,"  said  the  old 
9* 


90  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

man,  turning  and  opening  the  doors  which  led  in 
to  a  little  apartment  lighted  by  one  of  those  small 
er  windows,  already  mentioned  in  describing  the 
exterior  of  the  building.  The  passage  was  dark 
and  narrow,  but,  observing  the  warnings  of  bis 
companion,  Lionel  succeeded  in  descending,  in 
safety,  a  flight  of  steps  which  formed  a  private  • 
communication  between  the  offices  of  the  dwelling 
and  its  upper  apartments.  They  paused  an  in 
stant  at  the  bottom  of  the  stairs,  where  the  youth 
expressed  his  amazement  that  a  stranger  should 
be  so  much  more  familiar  with  the  building  than 
he  who  had  for  so  many  days  made  it  his  home. 

"  Have  I  not  often  told  you,"  returned  the  old 
man,  with  a  severity  in  his  voice  which  was  even 
apparent  in  its  suppressed  tones,  "  that  I  have 
known  Boston  for  near  an  hundred  years  !  how 
many  edifices  like  this  does  it  contain,  that  I 
should  not  have  noted  its  erection  !  But  follow  in 
silence,  and  be  prudent." 

He  now  opened  a  door  which  conducted  them 
through  one  end  of  the  building,  into  the  court 
yard  in  which  it  was  situated.  As  they  emerged 
into  the  open  air,  Lionel  perceived  the  figure  of  a 
man,  crouching  under  the  walls,  as  if  seeking  a 
shelter  from  the  driving  rain.  The  moment  they 
appeared,  this  person  arose,  and  followed  as  they 
moved  towards  the  street. 

"  Are  we  not  watched  ?"  said  Lionel,  stopping 
to  face  the  unknown  ;  "  whom  have  we  skulking  in 
our  footsteps  f" 

"  'Tis  the  boy,"  said  the  old  man,  for  whom  we 
must  adopt  the  name  of  Ralph,  which  it  would 
appear  was  the  usual  term  used  by  Job  when  ad 
dressing  his  mother's  guest — "  'tis  the  boy,  and 
he  can  do  us  no  harm.  God  has  granted  to  him 
a  knowledge  between  much  of  what  is  good  and 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  91 

that  which  is  evil,  though  the  mind  of  the  child 
is,  at  times,  sadly  weakened  by  his  bodily  ailings. 
His  heart,  however,  is  with  his  country,  at  a 
moment  when  she  needs  all  hearts  to  maintain 
her  rights." 

The  young  British  officer  bowed  his  head  to 
meet  the  tempest,  and  smiled  scornfully  within  the 
folds  of  his  cloak,  which  he  drew  more  closely 
around  his  form,  as  they  met  ti-e  gale  in  the 
open  streets  of  the  town.  They  had  passed 
swiftly  through  many  narrow  and  crooked  ways, 
before  another  word  was  uttered  between  the  ad 
venturers.  Lionel  mused  on  the  singular  and  in 
definable  interest  that  he  took  in  the  movements 
of  his  companion,  which  could  draw  him  at  a  time 
like  this  from  the  shelter  of  Mrs.  Lechmere's 
roof,  to  wander  he  knew  not  whither,  and  on  an 
errand  which  might  even  be  dangerous  to  his  per 
son.  Still  he  followed,  unhesitatingly,  for  with 
these  passing  thoughts  were  blended  the  recol 
lection  of  the  many  recent  and  interesting  commu 
nications  he  had  held  with  the  old  man  during 
their  long  and  close  association  in  the  ship ;  nor 
was  he  wanting  in  a  natural  interest  for  all  that 
involved  the  safety  and  happiness  of  the  place  of 
his  birth.  He  kept  the  form  of  his  aged  guide  in 
his  eye,  as  the  other  moved  before  him.  careless 
of  the  tempest  which  beat  on  his  withered  frame, 
and  he  heard  the  heavy  footsteps  of  Job  in  his 
rear,  who  had  closed  so  near  his  own  person  as  to 
share,  in  some  measure,  in  the  shelter  of  his  am 
ple  cloak.  But  no  other  living  being  seemed  to 
have  ventured  abroad  ;  and  even  the  few  sentinels 
they  passed,  instead  of  pacing  in  front  of  those 
doors  which  it  was  their  duty  to  guard,  were  con 
cealed  behind  the  angles  of  walls,  or  sought  shel 
ter  under  the  projections  of  some  favouring  roof. 
At  moments  the  wind  rushed  into  the  narrow 


92  LIONEL    LINCOLN 

avenue^  of  the  streets,  along  which  it  swept,  with 
a  noist  not  unlike  the  hollow  roaring  of  the  sea, 
and  with  a  violmre  which  was  nearly  irresistible. 
At  sucli  times  Lionel  was  compelled  to  pause,  and 
even  frequently  to  recede  a  little  from  his  path, 
while  his  t-uide,  supported  by  his  high  purpose, 
and  but  little  obstructed  by  his  garments,  seemed, 
to  the  bewildered  imagination  of  his  follower,  to 
glide  through  the  night  with  a  facility  that  was 
supernatural.  At  length  the  old  man,  who  had 
got  some  distance  ahead  of  his  followers,  sudden 
ly  paused,  and  allowed  Lionel  to  approach  to  his 
side.  The  latter  observed  with  surprise,  that 
he  had  stopped  before  the  root  and  stump  of 
a  tree  which  had  once  grown  on  the  borders  of 
the  street,  and  which  appeared  to  have  been  re 
cently  felled. 

"  Do  you  see  this  remnant  of  the  Elm  r"  said 
Ralph,  when  the  others  had  stopped  also  ;  "their 
axes  have  succeeded  in  destroying  the  mother- 
plant,  but  her  scions  are  flourishing  throughout  a 
continent !" 

"  I  do  not  comprehend  you  !"  returned  Lionel ; 
"  I  see  here  nothing  but  the  stump  of  some  tree; 
surely  the  ministers  of  the  king  are  not  answera 
ble  that  it  stands  no  longer  f" 

"The  ministers  of  the  king  are  answerable  to 
their  master  that  it  has  ever  become  what  it 
is — but  speak  to  the  boy  at  your  side,  he  will 
tell  you  of  its  virtues." 

Lionel  turned  towards  Job,  and  perceived,  by 
the  obscure  light  of  the  moon,  to  his  surprise, 
that  the  changeling  stood  with  his  head  bared 
to  the  storm,  regarding  the  root  with  an  extraor 
dinary  degree  of  reverence. 

"  This  is  all  a  mystery  to  me !"  he  said  ;  "  what 
do  you  know  about  this  stump  to  stand  in  awe  of, 
boy  ?" 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  93 

"'Tis  the  root  of  *  Liberty  -tree,'  "  said  Job, 
"  and  'tis  wicked  to  pass  it  without  making  your 
manners!" 

"  And  what  has  this  tree  done  for  liberty,  that  it 
has  merited  so  much  respect  f" 

"  Whal !  why  did  you  e?ersee  a  tree  afore  this 
that  could  write  and  give  notices  of  town  meetin- 
da's,  or  that  could  tell  the  people  whal  <he  king 
meant  to  do  with  the  tea  and  his  stamps !" 

"  And  could  this  marvellous  trei1  work  such 
miracles  ?" 

"  To  be  sure  it  could,  and  it  did  too — you  let 
stingy  Tommy  think  to  get  above  the  people 
with  any  of  his  cunning  "t-er  night,  and  yon  might 
come  here  n<-xt  morning  and  read  a  warning  on 
the  bark  of  this  tree,  that  would  tell  all  about  it, 
and  how  10  put  down  his  deviltries,  written  out 
fair,  in  a  hand  as  good  as  master  Loweii  himself 
could  put  on  paper,  the  best  day  of  his  grand 
scholarship." 

"  And  who  put  the  paper  there  ?" 

"Who!1'  exclaimed  Job,  a  little  positively; 
"  why  Liberty  came  in  the  night,  and  pasted  it 
up  herself.  When  Nab  couldn't  get  a  i souse  to 
live  in,  J<»b  used  to  sleep  under  the  tree,  some 
times,  and  many  a  night  has  he  seen  Liberty  with 
his  own  eyes  co  <  e  and  put  up  the  paper." 

"  And  was  it  a  woman?" 

"  Do  you  think  Liberty  was  such  a  fool  as  to 
come  every  time  in  woman's  clothes,  to  be  follow 
ed  by  the  rake-belly  soldiers  about  the  streets!" 
said  Job,  with  great  contempt  in  his  manner. 
"Sometimes  she  did,  though,  and  sometimes  she 
didn't;  just  as  it  happened.  And  Job  was  in  the 
tree  when  old  Noll  had  to  give  up  his  ungodly 
stamps ;  though  he  didn't  do  it  till  the  '  rto'js  of 
Liberty'  had  chucked  his  stamp-shop  in  the  dock, 
and  hung  hi.n  and  Lord  Boot  together,  ou  the 
branches  of  the  old  Elm!" 


94  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

"  Hung !"  said  Lionel,  unconsciously  drawing 
back  from  the  spot ;  "  was  it  ever  a  gallows !" 

44  Yes,  tor  irfigies,"  said  Job,  laughing;  "I 
wish  you  could  have  been  here  to  see  how  the 
old  boot,  with  Satan  sticking  out  on't,  whirled 
about  when  they  swung  it  off!  they  give  the  old 
boy  a  big  shoe  to  put  his  cloven  huff  in  !" 

Lionel,  who  wa-  familiar  with  the  peculiar 
sound  that  his  townsmen  gave  to  the  letter 
M,  now  comprehended  the  allusion  to  the  Earl 
of  Bute,  and  beginning  lo  understand  more  clear 
ly  the  nut ure  <>f  the  transactions,  and  the  uses  to 
which  that  m^m  fi'able  tree  had  been  applied,  he 
expressed  hi:-  desire  lo  proceed. 

The  ol,l  rnu'i  had  suffered  Job  to  make  his 
own  explanations,  though  not  without  a  curious 
interest  in  the.  eM'eet  they  would  produce  on  Lio 
nel ;  but  the  inslant  the  request  was  made  to  ad 
vance,  he  turned,  and  once  more  led  the  way. 
Their  course  was  n  >-.v  directed  m»re  towards  the 
wharves;  n->r  was  it  lung  before  their  conductor 
turned  into  a  narrow  court,  and  entered  a  house 
of  rather  mean  appearance,  without  even  observ 
ing  the  formality  of  announcing  his  visit  by  the 
ordinary  <imimons  of  rapping  at  its  door.  A  long, 
narrow,  and  ttfinly-fighted  passage,  conducted 
them  to  a  spac»ou>  apartment  far  in  the  court, 
which  appeared  to  have  been  fitted  as  a  place  for 
the  rect',itio;i  of  large  assemblages  of  people.  In 
this  room  were  collected  at  least  a  hu.-idreJ  men, 
seemingly  inleiu  on  some  object  of  more  than  usual 
interest,  by  the  gravity  and  seriousness  of  de 
meanor  apparent  u«  every  countenance. 

As  it  vas  Sunday,  the  first  impression  of  Lionel, 
on  entering  <he  room,  was  that  his  old  friend,  who 
often  betrayed  a  keen  sensibility  on  subjects  of 
religion,  had  bi  ought  him  there  with  a  design  to 
listen  to  some  favourite  exhorter  of  his  owu  pecu- 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  9 

liar  tenets,  and  as  a  tacit  reproach  for  a  neglect  of 
the  usual  ordinances  of  that  holy  day,  >»f  which 
the  conscience  of  the  young  man  suddenly  accus 
ed  him,  on  finding  himself  unexpectedly  mingled 
in  such  a  throng.  But  after  he  had  forced  his 
person  among  a  dense  body  of  men,  who  stood  at 
the  lower  end  of  the  apartment,  and  brcame  a  si 
lent  observer  of  the  scene,  he  was  scon  made  to 
perceive  his  error.  The  weather  had  induced  all 
present  to  appear  in  such  garments  as  were  best 
adapted  to  protect  them  from  its  furv  ;  and  their 
exteriors  were  rough,  and  perhaps  a  little  forbid 
ding  ;  but  there  was  a  composure  and  decency  in 
the  air  common  to  the  whole  assembly,  which  de 
noted  that  they  were  men  who  possessed  in  a  high 
degree  the  commanding  quality  of  self-respect. 
A  very  few  minutes  sufficed  to  teach  Lione!  that 
he  was  in  the  midst  of  a  meeting  collected  to  dis 
cuss  questions  connected  with  the  political  move 
ments  of  the  times,  though  he  felt  himself  a  little 
at  a  loss  to  discover  the  precise  results  it  was  in 
tended  to  produce.  To  every  question,  there  were 
one  or  two  speakers,  men  who  expressed  their 
ideas  in  a  familiar  manner,  and  with  the  peculiar 
tones  and  pronunciation  of  the  province,  that 
left  no  room  to  believe  them  to  be  orators  of  a 
higher  character  than  the  mechanics  and  trades 
men  of  the  town.  Most,  if  riot  all  of  them,  wore 
an  air  of  deliberation  and  coldness  that  would 
have  rendered  their  sincerity  in  the  cause  they 
had  apparently  espoused,  a  little  equivocal,  but 
for  occasional  expressions  of  coarse,  and  some 
times  biting  invective  that  they  expended  on 
the  ministers  of  the  crown,  and  for  the  per 
fect  and  firm  unanimity  that  was  manifested,  as 
each  expression  of  the  common  feeling  was  taken 
after  the  manner  of  deliberative  bodies.  Certain 
resolutions,  in  which  the  most  respectful  remon- 


96  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

strances  were  singularly  blended  with  the  boldest 
assertions  of  constitutional  prinripl-  s,  were  read, 
and  pa>sed  without  a  dissenting  voice,  though 
with  a  calmness  that  indicated  no  very  strong  ex 
citement.  Lionel  was  peculiarly  siruck  with  the 
language  of  these  written  < -pinions,  which  were  ex 
pressed  with  a  purity,  and  sometime*  with  an  ele 
gance  of  style,  which  plainly  showed  that  the  ac 
quaintance  of  the  sober  artisan  \\ith  the  instru 
ment  through  whose  periods  he  was  blundering, 
was  quite  recent,  and  far  from  being  very  inti 
mate.  The  eyes  of  the  young  soldier  wandered 
from  face  to  face,  with  a  strong  desire  to  de 
tect  the  secret  movers  of  the  ?e<  ne  he  was  wit 
nessing;  nor  was  he  long  without  selecting  one 
individual  as  an  object  peculiarly  deserving  of  his 
suspicions.  It  was  a  man  apparently  but  just 
entering  into  middle  age,  of  an  appearance,  both 
In  person,  and  in  such  parts  of  his  dress  as  esca 
ped  from  beneath  his  over-coat,  that  denoted  him 
to  be  of  a  class  altogether  superior  to  the  mass  of 
the  assembly.  A  deep  but  manly  respect  was  evi 
dently  paid  to  this  gentleman,  by  those  who  stood 
nearest  to  his  person  ;  and  once  or  twice  there 
were  close  and  earnest  communications  passing 
between  him  and  the  more  ostensible  leaders  of 
the  meeting,  which  roused  the  suspicions  of  Lio 
nel  in  the  manner  related.  Notwithstanding  the 
secret  dislike  that  the  English  officer  suddenly  con 
ceived  against  a  man  that  he  fancied  was  thus  abu 
sing  his  power?,  by  urging  others  to  acts  of  insub 
ordination,  he  could  not  conceal  from  himself  the 
favourable  impression  made  by  the  open,  fearless, 
and  engaging  countenance  of  the  stranger.  Lionel 
was  so  situated  as  to  be  able  to  keep  his  person, 
which  was  partly  concealed  by  the  taller  forms 
that  surrounded  him,  in  constant  view ;  nor  was 
it  long  before  his  earnest  and  curious  gaze  caught 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  97 

/ 

the  attention  of  the  other.  Glances  of  marked 
meaning  were  exchanged  between  them  during 
the  remainder  of  the  evening,  until  the  chairman 
announced  that  the  objects  of  the  convocation 
were  accomplished,  and  dissolved  the  meeting. 

Lionel  raised  himself  from  his  reclining  atti 
tude  against  the  wall,  and  submitted  to  be  carried 
by  the  current  of  human  bodies  into  the  dark 
passage  through  which  he  had  entered  the  room. 
Here  he  lingered  a  moment,  with  a  view  to  reco 
ver  his  lost  companion,  and  with  a  secret  wish 
to  scan  more  narrowly  the  proceedings  of  the 
man  whose  air  and  manner  had  so  long  chained 
Ins  attention.  The  crowd  had  sensibly  diminish 
ed  before  he  was  aware  that  few  remained  be 
side  himself,  nor  would  he  then  have  discover 
ed  that  he  was  likely  to  become  an  object  of  sus 
picion  to  those  few,  had  not  a  voice  at  his  elbow 
recalled  his  recollection. 

"  Does  Major  Lincoln  meet  his  countrymen  to 
night  as  one  who  sympathizes  in  their  wrongs,  or 
as  the  favoured  and  prosperous  officer  of  the 
crown  ?"  asked  the  very  man  for  whose  person  he 
had  so  long  been  looking  in  vain. 

"Is  sympathy  with  the  oppressed  incompatible 
with  loyalty  to  my  Prince  .?"  demanded  Lionel. 

"  That  it  is  not,"  said  the  stranger,  in  a 
friendly  accent,  "is  apparent  from  the  con 
duct  of  many  gallant  Englishmen  among  us,  who 
espouse  our  cause — but  we  claim  Major  Lincoln 
as  a  countryman." 

"  Perhaps,  sir,  it  would  be  indiscreet  just  now 
to  disavow  that  title,  let  my  dispositions  be  as 
they  may,"  returned  Lionel,  smiling  a  little, 
haughtily;  "this  may  not  be  as  secure  a  spot  in 
which  to  avow  one's  sentiments,  as  the  town-com 
mon,  or  the  palace  of  St.  James." 

VOL.    I.  10 


98  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

"  Had  the  king  been  present  to-night,  Major 
Lincoln,  would  he  have  heard  a  single  sen 
tence  opposed  to  that  constitution  which  has  de 
clared  him  a  member  too  sacred  to  be  offended  ?" 

"  Whatever  may  have  been  the  legality  of  your 
sentiments,  sir,  they  surely  have  not  been  express 
ed  in  language  altogether  fit  fora  royal  ear." 

"  It  may  not  have  been  adulation,  or  even  flatte 
ry,  but  it  is  truth — a  quality  no  less  sacred  than  the 
rights  of  kings." 

"  This  is  neither  a  place  nor  an  occasion,  sir," 
said  the  young  soldier,  quickly,  "  to  discuss  the 
rights  of  our  common  master ;  but  if,  as  from 
your  manner  and  your  language,  I  think  not  im 
probable,  we  should  meet  hereafter  in  a  higher 
sphere,  you  will  not  find  me  at  a  loss  to  vindi 
cate  his  claims." 

The  stranger  smiled  with  meaning,  and  as  he 
bowed  before  lie  fell  back  and  was  lost  in  the 
darkness  of  the  passage,  he  replied — 

"  Our  fathers  have  often  met  in  such  society, 
I  believe ;  God  forbid  that  their  sons  should  ever 
encounter  in  a  less  friendly  manner." 

Lionel  now  finding  himself  alone,  groped  his 
way  into  the  street,  where  he  perceived  Ralph 
and  the  changeling  in  waiting  for  his  appearance. 
Without  demanding  the  cause  of  the  other's  de 
lay,  the  old  man  proceeded  by  the  side  of  his 
companions,  with  the  same  indifference  to  the 
tempest  as  before,  towards  the  residence  of  Mrs. 
Lechmere. 

"You  have  now  had  some  evidence  of  the  spirit 
that  pervades  this  pecple."  said  Ralph,  after  a 
few  moments  of  silence;  "  think  you  still  there  is 
no  danger  that  the  volcano  will  explode  ?" 

"  Surely  every  thing  I  have  heard  and  seen  to 
night,  confirms  such  an  opinion,"  returned  Lio 
nel.  "Men  on  the  threshold  of  rebellion  sel- 

. 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  99 

dom  reason  so  closely,  and  with  such  moderation. 
Why,  the  very  fuel  for  the  combustion,  the  rabble 
themselves,  discuss  their  constitutional  principles, 
and  keep  under  the  mantle  of  law,  as  though  they 
were  a  club  of  learned  Templars." 

"  Think  you  that  the  fire  will  burn  less  steadily, 
because  what  you  call  the  fuel  has  been  prepared 
by  the  seasoning  of  time,"  returned  Ralph.  "But 
this  comes  from  sending  a  youth  into  a  foreign 
land  for  his  education  !  The  boy  rates  his  sober 
and  earnest  countrymen  on  a  level  with  the  pea 
sants  of  Europe." 

So  much  Lionel  was  able  to  comprehend,  but 
notwithstanding  the  old  man  muttered  vehemently 
to  himself  for  some  time  longer,  it  was  in  a  tone  too 
indistinct  for  his  ear  to  understand  his  meaning. 
When  they  arrived  in  a  part  of  the  town  with 
which  Lionel  was  familiar,  his  aged  guide  pointed 
out  his  way,  and  took  his  leave,  saying — 

"  I  see  that  nothing  but  the  last,  and  dreadful 
argument  of  force,  will  convince  you  of  the 
purpose  of  the  Americans  to  resist  their  oppres 
sors.  God  avert  the  evil  hour!  but  when  it  shall 
come,  as  come  it  must,  you  will  learn  your  error, 
young  man,  arid,  I  trust,  will  not  disregard  the 
natural  ties  of  country  and  kindred." 

Lionel  would  have  spoken  in  reply,  but  the  ra 
pid  steps  of  Ralph  rendered  his  wishes  vain,  for 
before  he  had  time  to  utter,  his  emaciated  form 
was  seen  gliding,  like  an  immaterial  being, 
through  the  sheets  of  driving  rain,  and  was  soon 
lost  to  the  eye,  as  it  vanished  in  the  dim  shades 
of  night,  followed  by  the  more  substantial  frame 
of  the  icfeot. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

'•'  Sergeant,  you  shall     Thus  are  poor  servitorSj 

c<  When  others  sleep  upon  their  quiet  beds, 

"  Constrained  to  watch  in  darkness,  rain,  and  cold." 

King  Henry  VI 

Two  or  three  days  of  fine,  balrny,  spring  wea 
ther  succeeded  to  the  storm,  during  which  Lionel 
saw  no  more  of  his  aged  fellow-voyager.  Job. 
however,  attached  himself  to  the  British  soldier 
with  a  confiding  helplessness  that  touched  the 
heart  of  his  young  protector,  who  gathered  from 
the  circumstance  a  just  opinion  of  the  nature 
of  the  abuses  that  the  unfortunate  changeling 
was  frequently  compelled  to  endure  from  the  bru 
tal  soldiery.  Meriton  performed  the  functions 
of  master  of  the  wardrobe  to  the  lad,  by  Lio 
nel's  express  commands,  with  evident  disgust,  but 
with  manifest  advantage  to  the  external  ap 
pearance,  if  with  no  very  sensible  evidence  of 
additional  comfort  to  his  charge.  During  this 
short  period,  the  slight  impression  made  on  Lio 
nel  by  the  scene  related  in  the  preceding  chap 
ter,  faded  before  the  cheerful  changes  of  the 
season,  and  the  increasing  interest  which  he 
felt  in  the  society  of  his  youthful  kinswomen. 
Polvvarth  relieved  him  from  all  cares  of  a  do 
mestic  nature,  and  the  peculiar  shade  of  sadness, 
which  at  times  had  been  so  very  per<jpptible  in 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  101 

his  countenance,  was  changed  to  a  look  of  a  more 
brightening  and  cheerful  character.  Polwarth 
and  Lionel  had  found  an  officer,  who  had  former 
ly  served  in  the  same  regiment  with  them  in  the 
British  Islands,  in  command  of  a  company  of 
grenadiers,  which  formed  part  of  the  garrison  of 
Boston.  This  gentleman,  an  Irishman  of  the 
name  of  M'Fuse,  was  qualified  to  do  great 
honour  to  the  culinary  skill  of  the  officer  of  light- 
infantry,  by  virtue  of  a  keen  natural  gusto  for 
whatever  possessed  the  inherent  properties  of  a 
savoury  taste,  though  utterly  destitute  of  any  of 
that  remarkable  scientific  knowledge  which  might 
be  said  to  distinguish  the  other  in  the  art.  He 
was,  in  consequence  of  this  double  claim  on  the 
notice  of  Lionel,  a  frequent  guest  at  the  nightly 
banquets  prepared  by  Polwarth.  Accordingly 
we  find  him,  on  the  evening  of  the  third  day  in 
the  week,  seated  with  his  two  friends,  around  a 
board  plentifully  garnished  by  the  care  of  that 
gentleman,  on  the  preparations  for  which,  more 
than  usual  skill  had  been  exerted,  if  the  repeated 
declarations  of  the  disciple  of  Heliogabulus,  to 
that  effect,  were  entitled  to  any  ordinary  credit. 

"  In  short,  Major  Lincoln,"  said  Polwarth,  in 
continuance  of  his  favourite  theme,  while  seated 
before  the  table,  "  a  man  may  live  any  where, 
provided  he  possesses  food — in  England,  or  out 
of  England,  it  matters  not.  Raiment  may  be 
necessary  to  appearance,  but  food  is  the  only 
indispensable  that  nature  has  imposed  on  the  ani 
mal  world  ;  and  in  my  opinion  there  is  a  sort  of 
obligation  on  every  man  to  be  satisfied,  who  has 
wherewithal  to  appease  the  cravings  of  his  appe 
tite — Captain  M'Fuse,  I  will  thank  you  to  cut  that 
surloin  with  the  grain." 

"  What  matters  it  Polly"— said  the  captain  of 

grenadiers,  with  a  slight  Irish  accent,  and  with 

10*  * 


102  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

the  humour  of  his  countrymen  strongly  depicted 
in  his  fine,  open,  manly  features,  "  which  way  a 
bit  of  meat  is  divided,  so  there  be  enough  to  al 
lay  the  cravings  of  the  appetite,  you  will  re 
member  !" 

"  It  is  a  collateral  assistance  to  nature  that 
should  never  be  neglected,"  returned  Pohvarth, 
whose  gravity  and  seriousness  at  his  banquets 
were  not  easily  disturbed  ;  "  it  facilitates  masti 
cation  and  aids  digestion,  two  considerations  of 
great  importance  to  military  men,  sir,  who  have 
frequently  such  little  time  for  the  former,  and  no 
rest  after  their  meals  to  complete  the  latter." 

"  He  reasons  like  an  army  contractor,  who 
wishes  to  make  -one  ration  do  the  work  of  two, 
when  transportation  is  high,"  said  M'Fuse,  wink 
ing  to  Lionel.  „  "  According  to  your  principles, 
then,  Polly,  a  potato  is  your  true  campaigner, 
for  that  is  a  cr'ature  you  may  cut  any  way  with 
out  disturbing  the  grain,  provided  the  artirle  be  a 
little  m'aly." 

"Pardon  me,  captain  M'Fuse,"  said  Polwarth. 
"  a  potato  should  be  broken,  and  not  cut  at  all — 
there  is  no  vegetable  more  used,  and  less  under 
stood  than  the  potato." 

"And  is  it  you,  Pater  Polwarth,  of  Nesbitt's 
light  infantry,"  interrupted  the  grenadier,  laying 
down  his  knife  and  fork  with  an  air  of  infinite 
humour,  "that  will  tell  Dennis  M'Fuse  how  to 
carve  a  potato !  I  will  yield  to  the  right  of  an 
Englishman  over  the  chivalry  of  an  ox,  your  sir 
loins,  and  your  lady-rumps,  if  you  please,  but  in 
my  own  country,  one  end  of  every  farm  is  a 
bog,  and  the  other  a  potato-field — 'tis  an  Irish 
man's  patrimony  that  you  are  making  so  free  with, 
sir!" 

"  The  possession  of  a  thing,  and  the  know- 
t  ledge  how  to  use  it,  are  two  very  different  pro 
perties — " 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  108 

"  Give  me  the  property  of  possession,  then," 
again  interrupted  the  ardent  grenadier,  "  espe 
cially  when  a  morsel  of  the  green  island  is  in  dis 
pute;  and  trust  an  old  soldier  of  the  Royal  Irish  to 
carve  his  own  enjoyments.  Now,  I'll  wager  a 
month's  pay,  and  that  to  me  is  as  much  as  if  the 
Major  should  say,  done  for  a  thousand,  that  you 
can't  tell  how  many  dishes  can  be  made,  and  are 
made  every  day  in  Ireland,  out  of  so  simple  a 
thing  as  a  potato." 

"  You  roast  and  boil ;  and  use  them  in  stuffing 
tame  birds,  sometimes,  and — " 

"All  old  woman's  cookery!"  interrupted 
M'Fuse,  with  an  affectation  of  great  contempt 
in  his  manner — "  now,  sir,  we  have  them  with 
butter,  and  without  butter,  that  counts  two ; 
then  we  have  the  fruit  p'aled  ;  and —  " 

"  Impaled,"  said  Lionel,  laughing.  "  I  believe 
this  nice  controversy  must  be  referred  to  Job, 
who  is  amusing  himself  in  the  corner  there^  I 
see,  with  the  very  subject  of  the  dispute  transfixed 
on  his  fork,  in  the  latter  condition." 

"  Or  suppose,  rather,"  said  M'Fuse,  "  as  it  is  a 
matter  to  exercise  the  judgment  of  Solomon,  we 
make  a  potato  umpire  of  master  Seth  Sage,  yon 
der,  who  should  have  some  of  the  wisdom  of  the 
royal  Jew,  by  the  sagacity  of  his  countenance,  as 
well  as  of  his  name." 

"  Don't  you  call  Seth  r'yal,"  said  Job,  sus 
pending  his  occupation  on  the  vegetable.  "  The 
king  is  r'yal  and  fla'nty,  but  neighbour  Sage  lets 
Job  come  in  and  eat,  like  a  Christian." 

"  That  lad  there,  is  not  altogether  without  rea 
son,  Major  Lincoln,"  said  Polwarth ;  "  on  the 
contrary,  he  discovers  an  instinctive  knowledge  of 
good  from  evil,  by  favouring  us  with  his  company 
at  the  hour  of  meals." 

"The  poor  fellow  finds  but  little  at  home  to 


104  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

tempt  him  to  remain  there,  1  fear,"  said  Lionel ; 
"  and  as  he  was  one  of  the  first  acquaintances  I 
made  on  returning  to  my  native  land,  1  have  de 
sired  Mr.  Sage  to  admit  him  at  all  proper  hours; 
and  especially,  Polvvarth,  at  those  times  when  he 
can  have  an  opportunity  of  doing  homage  to  your 
skill." 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  him,"  said  Polwarth,  "  for 
I  love  an  uninstructed  palate,  as  much  as  1  admire 
naivete  in  a  woman. — Be  so  good  as  to  favour  me 
with  a  cut  from  the  breast  of  that  wild-goose, 
M'Fuse — not  quite  so  far  forward,  if  you  please ; 
your  migratory  birds  are  apt  to  be  tough  about  the 
wing — but  simplicity  in  eating  is,  after  all,  the 
great  secret  of  life ;  that  and  a  sufficiency  of  food." 
*'  You  may  be  right  this  time,"  replied  the  gre 
nadier,  laughing,  "  for  this  fellow  made  one  of 
the  flankers  of  the  flock,  and  did  double  duty  in 
whet-ling,  I  believe,  or  1  have  got  him  against 
the  grain  too  !  But,  Polly,  you  have  not  told  us 
how  you  improve  in  your  light- infantry  exercises 
of  late." 

By  this  time  Polwarth  had  made  such  progress 
in  the  essential  part  of  his  meal,  as  to  have  reco 
vered  in  some  measure  his  usual  tone  of  good-na 
ture,  and  he  answered  with  less  gravity — 

"If  Gage  does  not  work  a  reformation  in  our 
habits,  he  will  fag  us  all  to  death.  I  suppose  you 
know,  Leo,  that  all  the  flank  companies  are  re 
lieved  from  the  guards  to  learn  a  new  species  of 
exercise.  They  call  it  relieving  us,  but  the  only 
relief  I  find  in  the  matter,  is  when  we  lie  down  to 
fire — there  is  a  luxurious  moment  or  two  then,  I 
must  confess !" 

"I  have  known  the  fact,  any  time  these  ten 
days,  by  your  moaning?,"  returned  Lionel ;  "  but 
what  do  you  argue  from  this  particular  exercise, 
captain  M'Fuse?  does  Gage  contemplate  more 
than  the  customary  drills  ?" 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  105 

"  You  question  me  now,  sir,  on  a  matter  in 
which  I  am  uninstructed,"  said  the  grenadier ;. 
"I  am  a  soldier,  and  obey  my  orders,  without 
pretending  to  inquire  into  their  objects  or  merits ; 
all  1  know  is,  that  both  grenadiers  and  light-in 
fantry  are  taken  from  the  guards;  and  that  we 
travel  over  a  good  deal  of  solid  earth  each  day, 
in  the  way  of  marching  and  counter- marching,  to 
the  manifest  discomfiture  and  reduction  of  Polly — 
there,  who  loses  flesh  as  fast  as  he  gains  ground." 

"Do  you  think  so,  Mac  ?"  cried  the  delighted 
captain  of  light-infantry ;  "  then  I  have  not  all  the 
detestable  motion  in  vain.  They  have  given  us 
little  Harry  Skip  as  a  drill  officer,  who  I  believe 
has  the  most  restless  foot  of  any  man  in  his  majes 
ty's  service.  Do  you  join  with  me  in  opinion,  mas 
ter  Sage  ?  you  seem  to  meditate  on  the  subject  as 
if  it  had  some  secret  charm." 

The  individual  to  whom  Polwarth  addressed 
this  question,  and  who  has  been  already  named, 
was  standing  with  a  plate  in  his  baud,  in  an  attitude 
that  bespoke  close  attention,  with  a  sudden  and 
deep  interest  in  the  discourse,  though  his  eyes 
were  bent  on  the  floor,  and  his  face  was  averted 
as  if,  while  listening  earnestly,  he  had  a  particu 
lar  desire  to  be  unnoticed.  He  was  the  owner  of 
the  house  in  which  Lionel  had  taken  his  quarters. 
His  family  had  been  some  time  before  removed 
into  the  country,  under  the  pretence  of  his  inabi 
lity  to  maintain  them  in  a  place  destitute  of  busi 
ness  and  resources  like  Boston ;  but  he  remain 
ed  himself,  for  the  double  purpose  of  protecting 
his  property  and  serving  his  guests.  This  man 
partook,  in  no  small  degree,  of  the  qualities,  both 
of  person  and  mind,  which  distinguish  a  large  class 
among  his  countrymen.  In  the  former  he  was 
rather  over  than  under  the  middle  stature  ;  was 
thin,  angular,  and  awkward,  but  possessing  an  un- 


106  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

usual  proportion  of  sinew  and  bone.  His  eyes 
were  small,  black,  scintillating,  and  it  was  not 
easy  to  fancy  tbat  the  intelligence  they  manifested 
was  unmingled  with  a  large  proportion  of  shrewd 
cunning.  The  rest  of  his  countenance  was  mea 
ger,  sallow,  and  rigidly  demure.  Thus  called 
upon,  on  a  sudden,  by  Polwarth  for  an  opinion, 
Seth  answered,  with  the  cautious  reserve  with 
which  he  invariably  delivered  himself — 

"The  adjutant  is  an  uneasy  man,  but  that,  I 
suppose,  is  so  much  the  better  for  a  light-infan 
try  officer.  Captain  Polwarth  must  find  it  consi 
derable  jading  to  keep  the  step,  now  the  General 
has  ordered  these  new  doings  with  the  soldiers." 

"And  what  may  be  your  opinion  of  these  do 
ings,  as  you  call  them,  Mr.  Sage,"  asked  M'Fuse ; 
"  you  who  are  a  man  of  observation,  should  under 
stand  your  countrymen;  will  they  fight?" 

"  A  rat  will  fight  if  the  cats  pen  him,"  said  Seth, 
without  raising  his  eyes  from  his  occupation. 

"  But  do  the  Americans  conceive  themselves 
to  be  penned?" 

"  Why,  that  is  pretty  much  as  people  think, 
captain ;  the  country  was  in  a  great  toss  about 
the  stamps  and  the  tea,  but  I  always  said  such 
folks  as  didn't  give  their  notes- of-hand,  and  had 
no  great  relish  for  any  thing  more  than  country 
food,  wouldn't  find  themselves  cramped  by  the 
laws,  after  all." 

''  Then  you  see  no  great  oppression  in  being 
asked  to  pay  your  bit  of  a  tax,  master  Sage," 
cried  the  grenadier,  "  to  maintain  such  a  worthy 
fellow  as  myself  in  a  dacent  equipage  to  fight 
your  battles." 

"  Why,  as  to  that  captain,  1  suppose  we  can 
do  pretty  much  the  whole  of  our  own  fight 
ing,  when  occasion  calls;  though  I  don't  think 
there  is  much  stomach  for  such  doings  among  the 
people,  without  need." 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  iOT 

"  But  what  do  you  think  the  Committee  of 
Safety,  and  your  '  Sons  of  Liberty,'  as  they  call 
themselves,  really  mean,  by  their  parades  of  '  mi 
nute-men,'  their  gathering  of  provisions,  carry 
ing  off  the  cannon,  and  such  other  formidable 
and  appalling1  preparations — ha  !  honest  Seth,  do 
they  think  to  frighten  British  soldiers  with  the  roll 
of  a  drum,  or  are  they  amusing  themselves,  like 
boys  in  the  holy  days,  with  playing  war." 

"  I  should  conclude,"  said  Seth,  with  undis 
turbed  gravity  and  caution,  "  that  the  people  are 
pretty  much  engaged,  and  in  earnest." 

"  To  do  what?"  demanded  the  Irishman;  "to 
forge  their  own  chains,  that  we  may  fetter  them 
in  truth  ?" 

"Why,  seeing  that  they  have  burnt  the  stamps, 
and  thrown  the  tea  into  the  harbour,"  returned 
Seth,  "  and  since  that  have  taken  the  manage 
ment  into  their  own  hands,  I  should  rather  con 
clude  that  they  have  pretty  much  determined  to 
do  what  they  think  best." 

Lionel  and  Pohvarth  laughed  aloud,  and  the 
former  observed — 

"  You  appear  not  to  come  to  conclusions  with 
our  host,  captain  M'Fuse,  notwithstanding  so 
much  is  determined.  Is  it  well  understood,  Mr. 
Sage,  that  large  reinforcements  are  coming  to 
the  colonies,,  and  to  Boston  in  particular  ?" 

"  Why  yes,"  returned  Seth,  "  it  seems  to  be 
pretty  generally  contemplated  on." 

"  And  what  is  the  result  of  these  contempla 
tions?" 

Seth  paused  a  moment,  as  if  uncertain  whether 
he  was  master  of  the  other's  meaning,  before  he 
replied — 

"  Why,  as  the  country  is  considerably  engaged 
in  the  business,  there  are  sOme  who  think  if  the 


108  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

ministers  don't  open   the   Port,  that  it  will  be 
done  without  much  further  words  by  the  people." 

"  Do  you  know,"  said  Lionel,  gravely,  "  that 
such  an  attempt  would  lead  directly  to  a  civil 
war  ?" 

"  I  suppose  it  is  safe  to  calculate  that  such  do 
ings  would  bring  on  disturbances,"  returned  his 
phlegmatic  host. 

'•  And  you  speak  of  it,  sir,  as  a  thing  not  to  be 
deprecated,  or  averted  by  every  possible  means 
in  the  power  of  the  nation  !" 

"  If  the  Port  is  opened  and  the  right  to  tax 
given  up,"  said  Seth,  calmly,  "  I  can  find  a  man 
in  Boston  who'll  engage  to  let  them  draw  all  the 
blood  that  will  be  spilt,  from  his  own  veins,  for 
nothing." 

"And  who  may  that  redoubtable  individual 
be,  master  Sa2;e  ?"  cried  M'Fuse  ;  "your  own  ple 
thoric  person  f — How  now,  Doyle,  to  what  am  I 
indebted  for  the  honour  of  this  visit  ?" 

This  sudden  question  was  put  by  the  captain 
of  grenadiers  to  the  orderly  of  his  own  company, 
who  at  that  instant  filled  the  door  of  the  apart 
ment  with  his  huge  frame,  m  the  attitude  of 
military  respect,  as  if  about  to  address  his  officer. 

"  Orders  have  come  down,  sir,  to  parade  the 
men  at  half  an  hour  after  tattoo,  and  to  be  in 
readiness  for  active  service." 

The  three  gentlemen  rose  together  from  their 
chairs  at  this  intelligence,  while  M'Fuse,  exclaim 
ed — "  A  night  march  !  Pooh  !  We  are  to  be  sent 
back  to  garrison-duty  1  suppose;  the  companies 
in  the  line  prow  sleepy,  and  wish  a  relief — Gage 
might  have  taken  a  more  suitable  time,  than  to  put 
gentlemen  on  their  march  so  soon  after  such  a 
feast  as  this  of  yours,  Polly." 

"  There  is  spme  deeper  meaning  to  so  extra 
ordinary  an  order,"  interrupted  Lionel ;  "  there 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  109 

goes  the  tap  of  the  tattoo,  this  instant !  Are 
no  other  troops  but  your  company  ordered  to 
parade  ?" 

"  The  whole  battalion  is  under  the  same  or 
ders,  your  honour,  and  so  is  the  battalion  of 
Light  Infantry ;  I  was  commanded  to  report  it 
so  to  Capt.  Polwarth,  if  I  saw  him." 

"  This  bears  some  meaning,  gentlemen,"  said 
Lionel,  "  and  it  is  necessary  to  be  looked  to— if 
either  corps  leaves  the  town  to-night,  I  will 
march  with  it  as  a  volunteer,  for  it  is  my  busi 
ness,  just  now,  to  examine  into  the  state  of  the 
country." 

"  That  we  shall  march  to-night,  is  sure,  your 
honour,"  added  the  sergeant,  with  the  confidence 
of  an  old  soldier ;  "  but  how  far,  or  on  what  road, 
is  known  only  to  the  officers  of  the  Staff;  though 
the  men  think  \ve  are  to  go  out  by  the  colleges." 

"  And  what  has  put  so  learned  an  opinion  in 
their  silly  heads  ?"  demanded  his  captain. 

"  One  of  the  men  who  has  been  on  leave,  has 
just  got  in,  and  reports  that  a  squad  of  gentlemen 
from  the  army  dined  near  them,  your  honour, 
and  that  as  night  set  in  they  mounted  and  began 
to  patrole  the  roads  in  that  direction.  He  was 
met  and  questioned  by  four  of  them  as  he  crossed 
the  flats." 

"  All  this  confirms  my  conjectures,"  cried  Lio 
nel — "there  is  a  man  who  might  now  prove  of 
important  service — Job — where  is  the  simpleton, 
Meriton?" 

"  He  was  called  out,  sir,  a  minute  since,  and 
has  left  the  hou>e." 

"Then  send  in  Mr.  Sage,"  continued  the  young 
man,  musing  as  he  spoke.  A  moment  after  it 
was  reported  to  him  that  Seth  had  strangely  dis 
appeared  also. 

"  Curiosity  has  led  him  to  the  barracks,"  said 

VOL.  i.  11 


110  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

Lionel,  "  where  duty  calls  you,  gentlemen.  1  will 
despatch  a  little  business,  and  join  you  there  in 
an  hour;  you  cannot  march  short  of  that  time." 

The  bustle  of  a  general  departure  succeeded; 
Lionel  threw  his  cloak  into  the  arms  of  Meriton, 
to  whom  he  delivered  his  orders,  took  his  arjns, 
and  making  his  apologies  to  his  guests,  he  left  the 
house  with  the  manner  of  one  who  saw  a  pressing 
necessity  to  be  prompt.  M'Fuse  proceeded  to 
equip  himself  with  the  deliberation  of  a  soldier 
who  was  too  much  practised  to  be  easily  discon 
certed.  Notwithstanding  his  great  deliberation, 
the  delay  of  Polwarth,  however,  eventually  van 
quished  the  patience  of  the  grenadier,  who  ex 
claimed,  on  hearing  the  other  repeat,  for  the 
fourth  time,  an  order  concerning  the  preservation 
of  certain  viands,  to  which  be  appeared  to  cling 
in  spirit,  after  a  carnal  separation  was  directed  by 
fortune. 

"Poh!  poh !  man,"  exclaimed  the  Irishman, 
"  why  will  you  bother  yourself  on  the  eve  of  a 
march,  with  such  epicurean  propensities.  It's  the 
soldier  who  should  show  your  hermits  and  ancho 
rites  an  example  of  mortification;  besides,  Polly., 
this  affectation  of  care  and  provision  is  the  less  ex 
cusable  in  yourself,  you  who  have  been  well  aware 
that  we  were  to  march  on  a  secret  expedition  this 
very  night  on  which  you  seem  so  much  troubled." 

"  I !"  exclaimed  Polwarth  ;  "  as  I  hope  to  eat 
another  meal,  I  am  as  ignorant  as  the  meanest 
corporal  in  the  army  of  the  whole  transaction — 
why  do  you  suspect  otherwise  ?" 

"  Trifles  tell  the  old  campaigner  when  and 
where  the  blow  is  to  be  struck,"  returned  M'Fuse, 
coolly  drawing  his  military  over-coat  tighter  to 
his  large  frame;  "  have  I  not,  with  my  own  eyes, 
seen  you  within  the  hour,  provision  a  certain  cap 
tain  of  light-infantry  after  a  very  heavy  fashion! 
Damn  it,  man,  do  you  think  I  have  served  these 


LIONEL  LINCOLN.  Ill 

iive-and-twenty  years,  and  do  not  know  that  when 
:i  garrison  begins  to  fill  its  granaries,  it  expects  a 
siege  ?" 

"  I  have  paid  no  more  than  a  suitable  compli 
ment  to  the  entertainment  of  Major  Lincoln," 
returned  Polwarth  ;  "  but  so  far  from  having  had 
any  very  extraordinary  appetite,  I  have  not  found 
myself  in  a  condition  to  do  all  the  justice  I  could 
wish  to  several  of  the  dishes. — Mr.  Meriton,  I 
will  thank  you  to  have  the  remainder  of  that  bird 
sent  down  to  the  barracks,  where  my  man  will  re 
ceive  it;  and  as  it  may  be  a  long  march,  and 
a  hungry  one,  add  the  tongue,  and  a  fowl,  and 
some  of  the  ragout ;  we  can  warm  it  up  at  any 
farm-house — we'll  take  the  piece  of  beef,  Mac — 
Leo  has  a  particular  taste  for  a  cold  cut ;  and  you 
might  put  up  the  ham,  also ;  it  will  keep  better 
than  any  thing  else,  if  we  should  be  out  long — and 
— and — I  believe  that  will  do,  Meriton." 

"  I  am  as  much  rejoiced  to  hear  it  as  I  should 
be  to  hear  a  proclamation  of  war  read  at  Charing- 
Cross,"  cried  M'Fuse — "  you  should  have  been  a 
commissary,  Polly — nature  meant  you  for  an  ar 
my  suttler!" 

"  Laugh  as  you  will,  Mac,"  returned  the  good- 
humoured  Polwarth,  "  I  shall  hear  your  thanks 
when  we  halt  for  breakfast;  but  I  attend  you  now." 

As  they  left  the  house,  he  continued,  "  1  hope 
Gage  means  no  more  than  to  push  us  a  little  in 
advance,  with  a  view  to  protect  the  foragers  and 
the  supplies  of  the  army — such  a  situation  would 
have  very  pretty  advantages  ;  for  a  system  might 
be  established  that  would  give  the  mess  of  the 
light  corps  the  choice  of  the  whole  mark«t." 

"  'Tis  a  mighty  preparation  about  some  old  iron 
gun,  which  would  cost  a  man  his  life  to  put  a  match 
to,"  returned  M'Fuse,  cavalierly  ;  "  for  my  part, 
captain  Polwarth,  if  we  are  to  fight  these  colo- 
ijists  at  all,  I  would  do  the  thing  like  a  man,  and 


112  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

allow  the  lads  to  gather  together  a  suitable  arsenal, 
that  when  we  come  to  blows  it  may  be  a  military 
affair — as  it  now  stands,  1  should  be  ashamed,  as 
I  am  a  soldier  and  an  Irishman,  to  bid  my  fellows 
pull  a  trigger,  or  make  a  charge,  on  a  set  of  pea 
sants  whose  fire-arms  look  more  like  rusty  water- 
pipes  than  muskets,  and  who  have  half  a  dozen 
cannon  with  touch-holes  that  a  man  may  put  hi^ 
head  in,  with  muzzles  just  large  enough  to  throw 
marbles." 

"I  don't  know,  Mac,"  said  Polwarth,  while 
they  diligently  pursued  their  way  towards  the 
quarters  of  their  men  ;  "  even  a  marble  may  de 
stroy  a  man's  appetite  for  his  dinner ;  and  the 
countrymen  possess  a  great  advantage  over  us  in 
commanding  the  supplies — the  difference  in  equip 
ments  would  not  more  than  balance  the  odds." 

"  I  wish  to  disturb  no  gentleman's  opinion  on 
matters  of  military  discretion,  captain  Polwarth,3' 
said  the  grenadier  with  an  air  of  high  martial 
pride  ;  "  but  1  take  it  there  exists  a  material  dif 
ference  between  a  soldier  and  a  butcher,  though 
killing  be  a  business  common  to  both — I  repeat, 
sir,  I  hope  that  this  secret  expedition  is  for  a  more 
worthy  object  than  to  deprive  those  poor  devils, 
with  whom  we  are  about  to  fight,  of  the  means  of 
making  a  good  battle,  and  I  add,  sir,  that  such  L- 
sound  military  doctrine,  without  regarding  who 
may  choose  to  controvert  it." 

"  Your  sentiments  are  generous  and  manly, 
Mac ;  but,  after  all,  there  is  both  a  physical  and 
moral  obligation  on  every  man  to  eat ;  and  if  star 
vation  be  the  consequence  of  permitting  your  ene 
mies  to  bear  arms,  it  becomes  a  solemn  duty  to 
deprive  them  of  their  weapons — no — no — I  will 
support  Gage  in  such  a  measure,  at  present,  as 
highly  military." 

"  And  he  is  much  obliged  to  you,  sir,  for  your 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  113 

support,"  returned  the  other — "  I  apprehend,  cap 
tain  Polwarth,  whenever  the  Lieutenant-Gene 
ral  Gage  finds  it  necessary  to  lean  on  any 
one  for  extraordinary  assistance,  he  will  remem 
ber  that  there  is  a  regiment  called  the  Royal  Irish 
in  the  country,  and  that  he  is  not  entirely  igno 
rant  of  the  qualities  of  the  people  of  his  own.  na 
tion. — You  have  done  well,  captain  Polwarth,  to 
choose  the  light-infantry  service — they  are  a  set 
of  foragers,  and  can  help  themselves;  but  the  gre 
nadiers,  thank  God,  love  to  encounter  men,  ani 
not  cattle  in  the  field." 

How  long  the  good-nature  of  Polwarth  would 
have  endured  the  increasing  taunts  of  the  Irish 
man,  who  was  exasperating  himself,  gradually,  by 
his  own  arguments,  there  is  no  possibility  of  de 
termining,  for  their  arrival  at  the  barracks  put 
an  end  to  the  controversy  and  to  the  feelings  it 
was  beginning  to  engender. 


11* 


CHAPTER  Vllf. 

"  Preserve  thy  sighs,  unthrifty  girl ! 

"  To  purify  the  air  ; 
"  Thy  tears,  to  thread,  instead  of  pearl, 

"  On  bracelets  of  tliy  hair."  Devaunl. 

LIONEL  might  have  blushed  to  acknowledge  the 
secret  and  inexplicable  influence  which  his  un 
known  and  mysterious  friend,  Ralph,  had  obtain 
ed  over  his  feelings,  but  which  induced  him,  on 
leaving  his  own  quarters  thus  hastily,  to  take  his 
way  into  the  lower  parts  of  the  town,  in  quest  of 
the  residence  of  Abigail  Pray.  He  had  not  visited 
the  sombre  tenement  of  this  woman  since  the  night 
of  his  arrival,  but  its  proximity  to  the  well-known 
town-hall,  as  well  as  the  quaint  architecture  of  the 
building  itself,  had  frequently  brought  its  exterior 
under  his  observation,  in  the  course  of  his  rambles 
through  the  place  of  his  nativity.  A  guide  be 
ing,  consequently,  unnecessary,  he  took  the 
most  direct  and  frequented  route  to  the  dock- 
square.  When  Lionel  issued  into  the  street,  he 
found  a  deep  darkness  already  enveloping  the 
peninsula  of  Boston, "as  if  nature  bad  lent  herself 
to  the  secret  designs  of  the  British  commandant. 
The  fine  strain  of  a  shrill  fife  was  playing  among 
the  naked  hills  of  the  place,  accompanied  by  the 
occasional  and  measured  taps  of  the  sullen  drum ; 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  J15 

and,  at  moments,  the  full,' rich  notes  of  the  horns 
would  rise  from  the  common,  and  borne  on  the 
night-air,  sweep  along  the  narrow  streets,  causing' 
the  nerves  of  the  excited  young  soldier  to  thrill 
with  a  stern  pleasure,  as  he  stepped  proudly  along. 
The  practised  ear,  however,  detected  no  other 
sounds  in  the  music  than  the  usual  nightly  signal  of 
rest;  and  when  the  last  melting  strains  of  the  horns 
seemed  to  be  lost  in  the  clouds,  a  stillness  fell  upon 
the  town,  like  the  deep  and  slumbering  quiet 
of  midnight.  He  paused  a  moment  before  the 
gates  of  Province-house,  and,  after  examining, 
with  an  attentive  eye,  the  windows  of  the  build 
ing,  he  spoke  to  the  grenadier,  who  had  stopped 
in  his  short  walk,  to  note  the  curious  stranger. 

"  You  should  have  company  within,  sentinel," 
he  said,  "  by  the  brilliant  light  from  those  win 
dows." 

The  rattling  of  Lionel's  side-arms  as  he  pointed 
with  his  hand  in  the  direction  of  the  illuminated 
apartment,  taught  the  soldier  that  he  was  address 
ed  by  his  superior,  and  he  answered  respectfully — 

"  It  does  not  become  one  such  as  I,  to  pretend 
to  know  much  of  wnat  his  betters  do,  your  honour, 
but  I  stood  before  the  quarters  of  General  Wolfe 
the  very  night  we  went  up  to  the  Plains  of  Abram; 
and  I  think  an  old  soldier  can  tell  when  a  move 
ment  is  at  hand,  without  asking  his  superiors  any 
impertinent  questions." 

"I  suppose,  from  your  remark,  the  General 
holds  a  council  to-night  ?"  said  Lionel. 

"  No  one  has  gone  in,  sir,  since  I  have  been 
posted,"  returned  the  sentinel,  ll  but  the  Lieu 
tenant-Colonel  of  the  I  Oth,  that  great  Northum 
brian  Lord,  and  the  old  Major  of  marines ;  a  great 
war-dog  is  that  old  man,  your  honour,  and  it  is 
not  often  he  comes  to  Province-house  for  no 
thing." 


116  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

"  A  good-night  to  you,  my  old  comrade,"  said 
Lionel,  walking  away  ;  "  'tis  probably  some  con 
sultation  concerning  the  new  exercises  that  you 
practise." 

The  grenadier  shook  his  head,  as  if  unconvin 
ced,  and  resumed  his  march  with  his  customary 
steadiness.  A  very  few  minutes  now  brought 
Lionel  before  the  low  door  of  Abigail  Pray, 
where  he  again  stopped,  struck  with  the  contrast 
between  the  gloomy,  dark,  and  unguarded  thresh 
old  over  which  he  was  about  to  pass,  and  the  gay 
portal  he  had  just  left.  Urged,  however,  by  his 
feelings,  the  young  man  paused  but  a" moment 
before  he  tapped  lightly  for  admission.  After  re 
peating  his  summons,  and  hearing  no  reply,  he 
lifted  the  latch,  and  entered  the  building  without 
further  ceremony.  The  large  and  vacant  apart 
ment  in  which  he  found  himself,  was  silent 
and  dreary  as  the  still  streets  he  had  quitted. 
Groping  his  way  towards  the  little  room  in  the 
tower,  where  he  had  met  the  mother  of  Job,  as 
before  related,  Lionel  found  that  apartment  also 
tenantless,  and  dark.  He  was  turning  in  dis 
appointment,  to  quit  the  place,  when  a  feeble 
ray  fell  from  the  loft  of  the  building,  and  set 
tled  on  the  foot  of  a  rude  ladder  which  formed  the 
means  of  communication  with  its  upper  apart 
ments.  Hesitating  a  single  moment  how  to  de 
cide,  he  then  yielded  to  his  anxiety,  and  ascend 
ed  to  the  floor  above,  with  steps  as  light  as  ex 
treme  caution  could  render  them.  Like  the  base 
ment,  the  building  was  subdivided  here,  into  a 
large,  open  ware-room,  and  a  small,  rudely-finish 
ed  apartment  in  each  of  its  towers.  Following  the 
rays  from  a  candle,  he  stood  on  the  threshold 
cf  one  of  these  little  rooms-,  in  which  he  found  the 
individual  of  whom  he  was  in  quest.  The  old  man 
was  seated  on  the  only  broken  chair  which  the 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  117 

loft  contained,  and  before  him,  on  the  simple  bun 
dle  of  straw  which  would  seem,  by  the  garments 
thrown  loosely  over  the  pile,  to  be  intended  as  his 
place  of  rest,  lay  a  large  map,  spread  for  inspec 
tion,  which  his  glazed  and  sunken  eyes  appeared 
to  be  intently  engaged  in  making.  Lionel  hesita 
ted  again,  while  he  regarded  the  white  hairs  which 
fell  across  the  temples  of  the  stranger,  as  he  bow 
ed  his  head  in  his  employment,  imparting  a  wild 
and  melancholy  expression  to  his  remarkable 
countenance,  and  seeming  to  hallow  their  pos 
sessor  by  the  air  of  great  age  and  attendant 
care  that  they  imparted. 

"  I  have  come  to  seek  you,"  the  young  man 
at  length  said,  "  since  you  no  longer  deem  me 
worthy  of  your  care." 

"  You  come  too  late,"  returned  Ralph,  without 
betraying  the  least  emotion  at  the  suddenness  of 
the  interruption,  or  even  raising  his  eyes  from  the 
map  he  studied  so  intently  ;  "  too  late  at  least  to 
avert  calamity,  if  not  to  learn  wisdom  from  its 
lessons." 

"  You  know,  then,  of  the  secret  movements  of 
the  night  ?" 

"  Old  age,  like  mine,  seldom  sleeps,"  returned 
Ralph,  looking  for  the  first  time  at  his  visiter. 
"for  the  eternal  night  of  death  promises  a  speedy 
repose.  I  too  served  an  apprenticeship  in  my 
youth  to  your  trade  of  blood." 

"  Your  watchfulness  and  experience  have  then 
detected  the  signs  of  preparation  in  the  garrison  ? 
Have  they  also  discovered  the  objects,  and  proba 
ble  consequences  of  the  enterprise  ?" 

"  Both ;  Gage  weakly  thinks  to  crush  the 
germ  of  liberty  which  has  already  quickened  in 
the  land,  by  lopping  its  feeble  branches,  when  it 
is  rooted  in  the  hearts  of  the  people.  He  thinks 


44-S  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

that  bold  thoughts  can  be  humbled  by  the  destruc 
tion  of  magazines. 

"  It  is  then  only  a  measure  of  precaution  that 
he  is  about  to  take  ?" 

The  old  man  shook  his  head  mournfully  as  he 
answered — 

"  It  will  prove  a  measure  <>f  blood." 

"  I  intend  to  accompany  the  detachment  into  the 
country,"  said  Lionel — ''  it  will  probably  take 
post  at  some  little  distance  in  the  interior,  and  it 
will  afford  me  a  fitting  opportunity  to  make  those 
inquiries  which  you  know  are  so  near  rny  heart, 
and  in  which  you  have  promised  to  assist — it  is  to 
consult  on  the  means  that  I  have  now  sought  you." 

The  countenance  of  the  stranger  seemed  to  lose 
its  character  of  melancholy  reflection,  as  Lionel 
spoke,  and  his  eyes  moved,  vacant  and  unmean 
ing,  over  the  naked  rafters  above  him,  passing  in 
their  wanderings  across  the  surface  of  the  unheed 
ed  map  again,  until  they  fell  full  upon  the  face  of 
the  astonished  youth,  where  they  remained  set 
tled  for  more  than  a  minute,  fixed  in  the  glazed, 
rivetted  look  of  death.  The  lips  of  Lionel  had  al 
ready  opened  in  anxious  inquiry,  when  the  ex 
pression  of  life  shot  again  into  the  features  of 
Ralph,  with  the  suddenness,  and  with  an  appear 
ance  of  the  physical  reality  with  which  light  flashes 
from  the  sun  when  emerging  from  a  cloud. 

"You  are  ill !"  Lionel  exclaimed. 

"  Leave  me,"  said  the  old  man,  "  leave  me." 

"  Surely  not  at  such  a  moment,  and  alone." 

"  I  bid  you  leave  me — we  shall  meet  as  you  de 
sire,  in  the  country." 

"  5Tou  would  then  have  me  accompany  the 
troops,  and  expect  your  coming?" 

"Both." 

"  Pardon  me,"  said  Lionel,  dropping  his  eyes 
in  embarrassment,  and  speaking  with  hesitation^ 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  119 

"  but  your  present  abode,  and  the  appearance  of 
your  attire,  is  an  evidence  that  old  age  has  come 
upon  you  when  you  are  not  altogether  prepared 
to  meet  its  sufferings." 

"  You  would  offer  me  money  ?" 

"  By  accepting  it,  I  shall  become  the  obliged 
party." 

"  When  my  wants  exceed  my  means,  young 
man,  your  offer  shall  be  remembered.  Go,  now  ; 
there  is  no  time  for  delay." 

"  But  I  would  not  leave  you  alone  ;  the  woman, 
the  termagant  is  better  than  none?" 

"  She  is  absent." 

"  And  the  boy — the  changeling  has  the  feelings 
of  humanity,  and  would  aid  you  in  extremity." 

"  He  is  better  employed  than  in  propping  the 
steps  of  a  useless  old  man. — Go  then,  I  entreat — 
I  command,  sir,  that  you  leave  me." 

The  firm,  if  not  haughty,  manner  in  which  the 
other  repeated  his  desire,  taught  Lionel  that  he 
had  nothing  more  to  expect  at  present,  and  he 
obeyed  reluctantly,  by  slowly  leaving  the  apart 
ment,  and  as  soon  as  he  had  descended  the  ladder 
he  began  to  retrace  his  steps  towards  his  own  quar 
ters.  In  crossing  the  light  draw-bridge  thrown  oven 
the  narrow  dock,  already  mentioned,  his  con 
templations  were  first  disturbed  by  the  sounds 
of  voices,  at  no  great  distance,  apparently  con 
versing  in  tones  that  were  not  intended  to  be  heard 
by  every  ear.  It  was  a  moment  when  each  unu 
sual  incident  was  likely  to  induce  inquiry,  and 
.Lionel  stopped  to  examine  two  men.  who,  at 
a  little  distance,  held  their  secret  and  suppressed 
communications.  He  had,  however,  paused  but  an, 
instant,  when  the  whisperers  separated,  one  walk 
ing  leisurely  up  the  centre  of  the  square,  entering 
cinder  one  of  the  arches  of  the  market-place,  and 


120  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

the  other  coming  directly  across  the  bridge  on 
which  he  himself  was  standing. 

"  What,  Job,  do  I  find  you  here,  whispering 
and  plotting  in  the  dock-square  !"  exclaimed  Lio 
nel  ;  "  what  secrets  can  you  have,  that  require 
the  cover  of  night  ?" 

"Job  lives  there,  in  the  old  ware'us',''  said  the 
lad  sullenly — "  Nab  has  plenty  of  house  room, 
now  the  king  wont  let  the  people  bring  in  their 
goods." 

"J3ut  whither  are  you  going  into  the  water  ! 
surely  the  road  to  your  bed  cannot  be  through 
the  town  dock." 

"  Nab  wants  fish  to  eat,  as  well  as  a  ruff  to  keep 
off  the  rain,"  said  Job,  dropping  lightly  from  the 
bridge  into  a  small  canoe,  which  was  fastened  to 
one  of  its  posts,  "  and  now  the  king  has  closed 
the  harbour  the  fish  have  to  come  up  in  the  dark; 
for  come  they  will ;  Boston  fish  an't  to  be  shut 
out  by  acts  of  Parliament !" 

"  Poor  lad  !"  exclaimed  Lionel,  "  return  to 
your  home  and  your  bed;  here  is  money  to  buy 
food  for  your  mother  if  she  suffers — you  will 
draw  a  shot  from  some  of  the  sentinels  by  going 
about  the  harbour  thus  at  night." 

"  Job  can  see  a  ship  farther  than  a  ship  can  see 
Job,"  returned  the  other ;  "  and  if  they  should 
kill  Job,  they  need'u't  think  to  shoot  a  Boston 
boy  without  some  stir." 

Further  dialogue  was  precluded ;  the  canoe 
gliding  along  the  outer  dock  into  the  harbour,, 
with  a  stilhies^  aad  swiftness  that  showed  the  idiot 
was  not  ignorant  of  the  business  which  he  had  un 
dertaken.  Lionel  resumed  his  walk,  and  was  pass 
ing  the  head  of  th*  square  when  he  encountered,, 
face  to  face,  under  the  light  of  a  lamp,  the  man 
whose  figure  he  had  seen  but  a  minute  before  to 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  121 

issue  from  beneath  the  town-hall.  A  mutual  de>- 
sire  to  ascertain  the  identity  of  each  other  drew 
them  together. 

"  We  meet  again,  Major  Lincoln,"  said  the  in 
teresting  stranger  Lionel  remembered  to  have 
seen  at  .the  political  meeting.  "  Our  interviews 
appear  ordained  to  occur  in  secret  places." 

"  And  Job  Pray  would  seem  to  be  the  presiding 
spirit,"  returned  the  young  soldier.  "  You  part 
ed  from  him  but  now  ?" 

"  I  trust,  sir,"  said  the  stranger  gravely,  "  that 
this  is  not  a  land,  nor  have  we  fallen  on  times  when 
and  where  an  honest  man  dare  not  say  that  he 
has  spoken  to  whom  he  pleases." 

"  Certainly,  sir,  it  is  not  for  me  to  prohibit  the 
intercourse,"  returned  Lionel.  "You  spoke  of 
our  fathers  ;  mine  is  well  known  to  you,  it  would 
seem,  though  to  me  you  are  a  stranger." 

"  And  may  be  so  yet  a  little  longer,"  said  the 
other,  "  though  I  think  the  time  is  at  hand  when, 
men  will  be  known  in  their  true  characters  ;  until 
then,  Major  Lincoln,  1  bid  you  adieu." 

Without  waiting  for  any  reply,  the  stranger 
took  a  different  direction  from  that  which  Lionel 
was  pursuing,  and  walked  away  with  the  swiftness 
of  one  who  was  pressed  with  urgent  business. 
Lionel  soon  ascended  into  the  upper  part  of  the 
town,  with  the  intention  of  going  into  Tremont- 
street,  to  communicate  his  design  to  accompany 
the  expedition.  It  was  now  apparent  to  the  young 
man,  that  a  rumour  of  the  contemplated  move 
ment  of  the  troops  was  spreading  secretly,  but 
swiftly,  among  the  people.  •  He  passed  several 
groups  of  earnest  and  excited  townsmen,  confer 
ring  together  at  the  corners  of  the  streets,  from 
some  of  whom  he  overheard  the  startling  intelli 
gence  that  the  neck,  the  only  approach  to  the 
place  by  land,  was  closed  by  a  line  of  sentiijels ; 

VOL.  i.  12 


122  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

and  that  guard -boats  from  the  vessels  of  war,  were 
encircling  the  peninsula  in  a  manner  to  intercept 
the  communication  with  the  adjacent  country. 
Still  no  indications  of  a  military  alarm  could  be 
discovered,  though,  at  times,  a  stifled  hum,  like  the 
notes  of  busy  preparation,  was  borne  along  by  the 
damp  breezes  of  the  night,  and  mingled  with 
those  sounds  of  a  Spring  evening,  which  increased 
as  he  approached  the  skirts  of  the  dwellings.  In 
Tremont-street  Lionel  found  no  appearance  of 
that  excitement  which  was  spreading  so  rapidly  in 
the  old  and  lower  parts  of  the  town.  He  passed  in 
to  his  own  room  without  meeting  any  of  the  fami 
ly,  and  having  completed  his  brief  arrangements, 
he  was  descending  to  inquire  for  his  kinswomen, 
when  the  voice  of  Mrs.  Lechmere,  proceeding 
from  a  small  apartment,  appropriated  to  her  own 
use,  arrested  his  steps.  Anxious  to  take  leave  in 
person,  he  approached  the  half-open  door,  and 
would  have  asked  permission  to  enter,  had  not  his 
eye  rested  on  the  person  of  Abigail  Pray,  who  was 
in  earnest  conference  with  the  mistress  of  the 
mansion. 

"  A  man  aged,  and  poor,  say  you  ?"  observed 
Mrs.  Lechmere,  at  that  instant. 

"  And  one  that  seems  to  know  all,"  interrupted 
Abigail,  glancing  her  eyes  about  with  an  expres 
sion  of  superstitious  terror. 

"All!"  echoed  Mrs.  Lechmere,  lifer  lip  trem 
bling  more  with  apprehension  than  age ;  "  and 
he  arrived  with  Major  Lincoln,  say  you  ?" 

"  In  the  same  ship  ;  and  it  seems  that  heaven 
has  ordained  that  he  shall  dwell  with  me  in  my 
poverty,  as  a  punishment  for  my  great  sins !" 

"  But  why  do  you  tolerate  his  presence,  if  it  be 
irksome,"  said  Mrs.  Lechmere;  ".you  are  at  least 
.'he  mistress  of  your  own  dwelling." 

"It  has  pleased  God  that  my  home  shall  be  thr 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  123 

home  of  any  who  are  so  miserable  as  to  need  one. 
He  has  the  same  right  to  live  in  the  warehouse 
that  I  have." 

"  You  have  the  rights  of  a  woman,  and  of  first 
possession,"  said  Mrs.  Lechmere,  with  that  un 
yielding  severity  of  manner  that  Lionel  had  often 
observed  before;  "1  would  turn  him  into  the 
street,  like  a  dog." 

""  Into  the  street !"  repeated  Abigail,  again 
looking  about  her  in  secret  terror ;  "  speak  lower, 
madam  Lechmere,  for  the  love  of  heaven — I  dare 
not  even  look  at  him — be  reminds  me  of  all  I  have 
ever  known,  and  of  all  the  evil  1  have  ever  done,  by 
his  scorching  eye — and  yet  I  cannot  tell  why — and 
then  Job  worships  him  as  a  god,  and  if  I  should 
offend  him,  he  could  easily  worm  from  the  child 
all  that  you  and  I  wish  so  much " 

"  How!"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Lechmere,  in  a  voice 
husky  with  horror,  "  have  you  been  so  base  as  to 
make  a  confident  of  that  fool !" 

"  That  fool  is  the  child  of  my  bosom,"  said 
Abigail,  raising  her  hands,  as  if  imploring  par 
don  for  the  indiscretion. — "Ah!  madam  Lech 
mere,  you  who  are  rich,  and  great,  and  happy,  and 
have  such  a  sweet  and  sensible  grandchild,  can 
not  know  how  to  love  one  like  Job  ;  but  when 
the  heart  is  loaded  and  heavy,  it  throws  its  bur 
den  on  any  that  will  bear  it;  and  Job  is  my  child, 
though  he  is  but  little  better  than  an  ideot !" 

It  was  by  no  trifling  exertion  of  his  breeding 
that  Lionel  was  enabled  to  profit  by  the  inability 
of  Mrs.  Lechmere  to  reply,  and  to  turn  away 
from  the  spot,  and  cease  to  listen  to  a  con 
versation  that  was  not  intended  for  his  ear.  He 
reached  the  parlour,  and  threw  himself  on  one 
of  its  settees  before  he  was  conscious  that  he  was 
no  longer  alone  or  unobserved. 

"  What !   Major   Lincoln  returned   from  his 


124  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

revels  thus  early,  and  armed  like  a  bandit,  to 
his  teeth  !"  exclaimed  the  playful  voice  of  Cecil 
Dynevor,  who,  unheeded,  was  in  possession  of  the 
opposite  seat,  when  he  entered  the  room. 

Lionel  started,  and  rubbed  his  forehead,  like  a 
man  awaking  from  a  dream,  as  he  answered — 

"  Yes,  a  bandit,  or  any  other  opprobrious  name 
you  please ;  I  deserve  them  all." 

"  Surely,"  said  Cecil,  turning  pale.  "  none 
other  dare  use  such  language  of  Major  Lincoln, 
and  he  does  it  unjustly  !" 

"  What  foolish  nonsense  have  I  uttered,  Miss 
Dynevor?"  cried  Lionel,  recovering  his  recollec 
tion;  "I  was  lost  in  thought,  and  heard  your 
language  without  comprehending  its  meaning." 

"  Still  you  are  armed  ;  a  sword  is  not  a  usual 
instrument  at  your  side,  and  now  you  bear  even 
pistols !" 

"  Yes,"  returned  the  young  soldier,  laying  aside 
his  dangerous  implements) ;  '•  yes,  I  am  about  to 
march  as  a  volunteer,  with  a  party  that  go  into 
the  country  to-night,  and  I  take  these  because  I 
would  affect  something  very  warlike,  though  you 
well  know  how  peaceably  I  am  disposed." 

"  March  into  the  country — and  in  the  dead  of 
night !"  said  Cecil,  catching  her  breath,  and  turn 
ing  pale — "  And  does  Lionel  Lincoln  volunteer 
on  such  a  duty?" 

"  I  volunteer  to  perform  no  other  duty  than  to 
be  a  witness  of  whatever  may  occur — you  are  not 
more  ignorant  yourself  of  the  nature  of  the  ex 
pedition  than  I  am  at  this  moment." 

"  Then  remain  where  you  are,"  said  Cecil, 
firmly,  "  and  enlist  not  in  an  enterprise  that  may 
be  unholy  in  its  purposes,  and  disgraceful  in  its 
results." 

"  Of  the  former  I  am  innocent,  whatever  they 
may  be,  nor  will  they  be  affected  by  my  presence 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  125 

or  absence.  There  is  little  danger  of  disgrace  in 
accompanying  the  grenadiers  and  light-infantry 
of  this  army,  Miss  Dynevor,  though  it  should  be 
against  treble  their  numbers  of  chosen  troops." 

"  Then  it  would  seem,"  said  Agnes  Danforth, 
speaking  as  she  entered  the  room,  "  that  our 
friend  Mercury,  that  feather  of  a  man,  captain  Pol-, 
warth,  is  to  be  one  of  these  night  depredators  ! 
heaven  shield  the  hen-roosts !" 

"You  have  then  heard  the  intelligence,  Agnes?" 

"  I  have  heard  that  men  are  arming,  and  that 
boats  are  rowing  round  the  town  in  all  directions, 
and  that  it  is  forbidden  to  enter  or  quit  Boston, 
as  we  were  wont  to  do,  Cecil,  at  such  hours  and 
in  such  fashion  as  suited  us  plain  Americans," 
said  Agnes,  endeavouring  to  conceal  her  deep 
vexation  in  affected  irony — "  God  only  can  tell 
in  what  all  these  oppressive  measures  will  end." 

"  If  you  go  only  as  a  curious  spectator  of  the 
depredations  of  the  troops,"  continued  Cecil, 
"  are  you  not  wrong  to  lend  them  even  the  sanc 
tion  of  your  name  ?" 

"  I  have  yet  to  learn  that  there  will  be  depre 
dations." 

"  You  forget,  Cecil,"  interrupted  Agfles  Dan>- 
forth,  scornfully,  "  that  Major  Lincolp  did  not  ar 
rive  until  after  the  renowned  roarcb  trom  Roxbu- 
ry  to  Dorchester !  Then  the  tfoops  gathered 
their  laurels  under  the  face  (V  the  sun ;  but  it 
is  easy  to  conceive  how  /nuch  more  glorious 
their  achievements  wi/1  become  when  darkness 
shall  conceal  their  blu?nes!" 

The  blood  rushed  across  the  fine  features  of 
Lionel,  but  he  laughed  as  he  arose  to  depart, 
saying — 

"  You  compel  me  to  beat  the  retreat,  my  spi 
rited  coz.  If  I  have  my  usual  fortune  in  this 
forage,  your  larder,  however,  shall  be  the  better 
13  * 


126  LIONEL   LINCOLN'. 

for  it.  I  kiss  my  hand  to  you,  for  it  would  be  ne 
cessary  to  lay  aside  the  scarlet  to  dare  to  approach 
with  a  more  peaceable  offering.  But  here  1  may 
make  an  approach  to  something  like  amity." 

He  took  the  hand  of  Cecil,  who  frankly  met 
his  offer,  and  insensibly  suffered  herself  to  be  led 
to  the  door  of  the  building  while  he  continued 
speaking. 

"  I  would,  Lincoln,  that  you  were  not  to  go," 
she  said,  when  they  stopped  on  the  threshold — 
"  it  is  not  required  of  you  as  a  soldier ;  and  as  a 
man  your  own  feelings  should  teach  you  to  be 
tender  of  your  countrymen." 

"  It  is  as  a  man  that  I  go.  Cecil,"  he  answered; 
"I  have  motives  that  you  cannot  suspect." 

"  And  is  your  absence  to  be  long?" 

"  If  not  for  days,  my  object  will  be  unaccom 
plished  ;"  but  he  added,  pressing  her  hand  gently, 
"  you  cannot  doubt  my  willingness  to  return  when 
occasion  may  offer." 

"  Go,  then,"  said  Cecil,  hastily,  and  perhaps 
unconsciously  extricating  herself — ''  go,  if  you 
have  secret  reasons  for  your  conduct ;  but  remem 
ber  that  the  acts  of  every  officer  of  your  rank  are 
keenly  noted.5' 

"  Do  yot  then  distrust  me,  Cecil !" 

«'  No — no--I  distrust  no  one,  Major  Lincoln — 
go — go — and — *nd— we  shall  see  you,  Lionel, 
the  instant  you  rei\»rn." 

He  had  not  time  lo  rtply,  for  she  glided  into 
the  building  so  rapidly  as  to  give  the  young  man 
an  opportunity  only  to  observe,  that  instead  of 
rejoining  her  cousin,  her  light  form  passed  up  the 
gveat  stairs  with  the  swiftness  and  grace  of  a  fairy. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

"  Hang  out  our  banners  on  the  outward  walls  : 
"  The  cry  is  still,  Tliey  come." 

Macbeth. 

LIONEL  had  walked  from  the  dwelling  of  Mrs, 
Lech  mere  to  the  foot  of  Beacon-Hill,  and  bad 
even  toiled  up  some  part  of  the  steep  ascent,  be 
fore  he  recollected  why  he  was  thus  wandering 
by  himself  at  that  unusual  hour.  Hearing,  how 
ever,  no  sounds  that  denoted  an  immediate  move 
ment  of  the  troops,  he  then  yielded,  unconsciously, 
to  the  nature  of  his  sensations,  which  just  at  thai 
moment  rendered  his  feelings  jealous  of  commu 
nication  with  others,  and  continued  to  ascend  un 
til  he  gained  the  summit  of  the  eminence.  From 
this  elevated  stand  he  paused  to  contemplate  the 
scene  which  lay  in  the  obscurity  of  night  at  his 
feet,  while  his  thoughts  returned  from  the  flattering 
anticipations  in  which  he  had  been  indulging,  to 
consider  the  more  pressing  business  of  the  hour. 
There  arose  from  the  town  itself  a  distant 
buzzing,  like  the  hum  of  suppressed  agitation,  and 
lights  were  seen  to  glide  along  the  streets,  or  flit 
across  the  windows,  in  a  manner  which  denoted 
that  a  knowledge  of  the  expedition  had  become 


128  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

general  within  its  dwellings.  Lionel  turned  his 
head  toward  the  common,  and  listened  long  and 
anxiously,  but  in  vain,  to  detect  a  single  sound 
that  could  betray  any  unusual  stir  among  the  sol 
diery.  Towards  the  interior,  the  darkness  of  night 
had  fallen  heavily,  dimming  the  amphitheatre  of 
hills  that  encircled  the  place,  and  enshrouding 
the  vales  and  lowlands  between  them  and  the  wa 
ter  with  an  impenetrable  veil  of  gloom.  There 
were  moments,  indeed,  when  he  imagined  he  over 
heard  some  indications  among  the  people  of  the 
opposite  shore  that  they  were  apprised  of  the  im 
pending  descent,  but  on  listening  more  attentively, 
the  utmost  of  which  his  ear  could  assure  him. 
was  the  faint  lowing  of  cattle  from  the  meadows, 
or  the  plash  of  oars  from  a  line  of  boats,  which,  by- 
stretching  far  along  the  shores,  told  both  the  na 
ture  and  the  extent  of  the  watchfulness  that  was 
deemed  necessary  for  the  occasion. 

While  Lionel  stood  thus,  on  the  margin  of  the 
little  platform  of  earth  that  had  been  formed  by 
levelling  the  apex  of  the  natural  cone,  musing  on 
the  probable  results  of  the  measure  his  superiors 
had  been  resolving  to  undertake,  a  dim  light  shed 
itself  along  the  grass,  ajid  glancing  upward,  danced 
upon  the  beacon  with  strong  and  playful  rays. 

"  Scoundrel!"  exclaimed  a  man,  springing  from 
his  place  of  concealment,  at  the  foot  of  the  post, 
and  encountering  him  face  to  face,  "  do  you  dare 
to  fire  the  beacon  ?" 

"  I  would  answer  by  asking  how  you  dare  to 
apply  so  rude  an  epithet  to  me,  did  I  not  see  the 
cause  of  your  error,'*  said  Lionel.  "  The  light  is 
from  yonder  moon,  which  is  just  emerging  from 
tiie  oceau." 

"  Ah!  I  see  my  error,"  returned  his  rough  as 
sailant — "  by  heavens,  I  would  have  sworn  at  first, 
'twas  the  beacon." 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  129 

"You  must  then  believe  in  the  traditional 
witchcraft  of  this  country,  for  nothing  short  of  ne 
cromancy  could  have  enabled  me  to  light  those 
combustibles  at  this  distance." 

"  I  don't  know  ;  'tis  a  strange  people  we  have 
got  amongst — they  stole  the  cannon  from  the  gun- 
house  here,  a  short  time  since,  when  I  would  have 
said  the  thing  was  impossible.  It  was  before  your 
arrival,  sir  ;  for  I  now  believe  I  address  myself  to 
Major  Lincoln,  of  the  27th." 

"You  are  nearer  the  truth,  this  time,  than  in 
your  first  conjecture  as  to  my  character,"  said 
Lionel ;  "  but  have  I  met  one  of  the  gentlemen  of 
our  mess  ?" 

The  stranger  now  explained  that  he  was  a  sub 
altern  in  a  different  regiment,  but  that  he  well 
knew  the  person  of  the  other.  .He  added  that  he 
had  been  ordered  to  watch  on  the  hill  to  prevent 
any  of  the  inhabitants  lighting  the  beacon,  or 
making  any  other  signal  which  might  convey  into 
the  country  a  knowledge  of  the  contemplated  in 
road. 

"  This  matter  wears  a  more  serious  aspect  than 
I  had  supposed,"  returned  Lionel,  when  the  young 
man  had  ended  his  apologies  and  explanation  ; 
"  the  commander-in-chief  must  intend  more  than 
we  are  aware  of,  by  employing  officers  in  this 
manner,  to  do  the  duties  of  privates." 

"  We  poor  subs  know  but  little,  and  care  less 
what  he  means,"  cried  the  ensign ;  "  though  I  will 
acknowledge  that  I  can  see  no  sufficient  reason 
why  British  troops  should  put  on  coats  of  darkness 
to  march  against  a  parcel  of  guessing,  canting, 
countrymen,  who  would  run  at  the  sight  of  their 
uniforms  under  a  bright  sun.  Had  I  my  will, 
the  tar  above  us,  there,  should  blase  a  mile  high, 
to  bring  down  the  heroes  from  Connecticut  river  ; 
the  dogs  would  cow  before  two  full  companies  o£ 


130  LIONEL   LINCOLN'. 

grenadiers — ha  !  listen,  sir  ;  there  they  go,  now, 
the  pride  of  our  army !  I  know  them  by  their 
heavy  tread." 

Lionel  did  listen  attentively,  and  plainly  distin 
guished  the  measured  step  of  a  body  of  disciplined 
men,  moving  rapidly  across  the  common,  as  if 
marching  towards  the  water-side.  Hastily  bidding 
his  companion  good-night,  he  threw  himself  over 
the  brow  of  the  hill,  and  taking  the  direction  of 
the  sounds,  he  arrived  at  the  shore  at  the  same  in 
stant  with  the  troops.  Two  dark  masses  of  hu 
man  bodies  were  halted  in  order,  and  as  Lionel 
skirted  the  columns,  his  experienced  eye  judged 
that  the  force  collected  before  him,  could  be  but 
little  short  of  a  thousand  men.  A  group  of  officers 
was  clustered  on  the  beach,  and  he  approached 
it,  rightly  supposing  that  it  was  gathered  about 
the  leader  of  the  party.  This  officer  proved  to 
be  the  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  the  10th,  who  was 
in  close  conversation  with  the  old  Major  of  Ma 
rines,  alluded  to  by  the  sentinel  who  stood  before 
the  gates  of  Province-house.  To  the  former  of 
these  the  young  soldier  addressed  himself,  de 
manding  leave  to  accompany  the  detachment  as  a 
rolunteer.  After  a  few  words  of  explanation,  his 
request  was  granted,  though  each  forbore  to  touch 
in  the  slightest  manner  on  the  secret  objects  of  the 
expedition. 

Lionel  now  found  his  groom,  who  had  followed 
the  troops  vvith  his  master's  horses,  and  after  giv 
ing  his  orders  to  the  man,  he  proceeded  in  quest 
of  his  friend  Polwarth,  whom  he  soon  discovered, 
posted  in  all  the  stiffness  of  military  exactness,  at 
the  head  of  the  leading  platoon  of  the  column  of 
light-infantry.  As  it  WHS  apparent,  both  from  the 
position  they  occupied,  as  well  as  by  the  boats  that 
had  been  collected  at  the  point,  that  the  detach 
ment  was  not  to  leave  the  peninsula  by  its  ordinary 
channel  of  communication  with  the  country,  there 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  131 

remained  no  alternative  but  to  await  patiently  the 
order  to  embark.  The  delay  was  but  short,  and, 
as  the  most  perfect  order  was  observed,  the  troops 
were  soon  seated,  and  the  boats  pulled  heavily 
from  the  land,  just  as  the  rays  of  the  moon,  which 
had  been  sometime  playing  among  the  hills,  and 
gilding  the  spires  of  the  town,  diffused  them 
selves  softly  over  the  bay,  and  lighted  the  busy 
scene,  with  an  effect  not  unlike  the  sudden  rising 
of  the  curtain  at  the  opening  of  some  interesting 
drama.  Polwarth  had  established  himself  by  the 
side  of  Lionel,  much  to  the  ease  of  his  limbs,  and 
as  they  moved  slowly  into  the  light,  all  those  mis 
givings  which  had  so  naturally  accompanied  his 
musings  on  the  difficulties  of  a  partisan  irruption, 
vanished  before  the  loveliness  of  the  time,  and 
possibly  before  the  quieiude  of  the  action. 

"  There  are  moments  when  I  could  fancy  the 
life  of  a  sailor,"  he  said,  leaning  indolently  back, 
and  playing  with  one  hand  in  the  water — "  this 
pulling  about  in  boats  is  easy  work,  and  must  be 
capital  assistance  for  a  heavy  digestion,  inasmuch 
as  it  furnishes  air  with  as  little  violent  exercise  as 
may-be — your  marine  should  lead  a  merry  life 
of  it !" 

"  They  are  said  to  murmur  at  the  clashing  of 
their  duties  with  those  of  the  sea-officers,"  said 
Lionel;  "and  I  have  often  heard  them  complain  of 
a  want  of  room  to  make  use  of  their  legs." 

"  Humph  !"  ejaculated  Polwarth;  "the  leg  is 
a  part  of  a  man  for  which  I  see  less  actual  neces 
sity  than  for  any  other  portion  of  his  frame.  J 
often  think  there  has  been  a  sad  mistake  in  the 
formation  of  the  animal ;  as,  for  instance,  one 
can  be  a  very  good  waterman,  as  you  see,  with 
out  legs — a  good  fiddler,  a  first-rate  tailor,  a  law 
yer,  a  doctor,  a  parson,  a  very  tolerable  cook,  and 
in  short,  any  thing  but  a  dancing  master,  I  see 


132  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

no  use  in  a  leg  unless  it  be  to  have  the  gout — at 
any  rate,  a  leg  of  twelve  inches  is  as  good  as  one 
a  mile  long,  and  the  saving  might  be  appropriated 
to  the  nobler  parts  of  the  animal;  such  as  the  brain 
and- the  stomach." 

"You  forget  the  officer  of  light-infantry,"  said 
Lionel,  laughing. 

"  You  might  give  him  a  couple  of  inches  more ; 
though,  as  every  thing  in  this  wicked  world,  is  ex 
cellent  only  by  comparison,  it  would  amount  to  the 
same  thing,  and  on  my  system  a  man  would  be 
just  as  fit  for  the  light-infantry  without,  as  with 
legs ;  and  he  would  get  rid  of  a  good  deal  of  trou 
blesome  manoeuvring,  especially  of  this  new  ex 
ercise.  It  would  then  become  a  delightful  ser 
vice,  Leo  ;  for  it  may  be  said  to  monopolize  all  the 
poetry  of  military  life,  as  you  may  see.  Neither 
the  imagination  nor  the  body  can  require  more 
than  we  enjoy  at  this  moment,  and  of  what  use,  1 
would  ask,  are  our  legs?  if  any  thing,  they  are  in- 
cumbrances  in  this  boat.  Here  we  have  a  soft 
moon,  and  softer  seats — smooth  water,  and  a  sti 
mulating  air — on  one  side  a  fine  country,  which, 
though  but  faintly  seen,  is  known  to  be  fertile, 
and  rich  to  abundance  ;  and  on  the  other  a  pic 
turesque  town,  stored  with  the  condiments  of 
every  climate — even  those  rascally  privates  look 
mellowed  by  the  moon-beams,  with  their  scarlet 
coats  and  glittering  arms !  Did  you  meet  Miss 
Danforth  in  your  visit  to  Tremont-street,  Major 
Lincoln  ?" 

"  That  pleasure  was  not  denied  me." 

"  Knew  she  of  these  martial  proceedings .?" 

"  There  was  something  exceedingly  belligerent 
in  her  humour." 

"  Spoke  she  of  the  light-infantry,  or  of  any  who 
serve  in  the  light  corps?" 

"  Your  name  was  certainly  mentioned,"  return- 


LIONF.L    LINCOLN.  133 

ed  Lionel,  a  little  dryly — "  she  intimated  that  the 
hen-roosts  were  in  danger." 

"  Ah !  she  is  a  girl  of  a  million !  her  very 
acids  are  sweet!  the  spices  were  not  forgotten 
when  the  dough  of  her  composition  was  mixed ; 
would  that  she  were  here — five  minutes  of  moon 
shine  to  a  man  in  love  is  worth  a  whole  summer 
of  a  broiling  sun — 'twould  be  a  master-stroke  to 
entice  her  into  one  of  our  picturesque  marches; 
your  partisan  is  the  man  to  take  every  thing  by 
surprise — women  and  fortifications  !  Where  now 
are  your  companies  of  the  line ;  your  artillery 
and  dragoons;  your  engineers  and  staff!  night- 
capped  and  snoring  to  a  man,  while  we  enjoy  here 
the  very  dessert  of  existence — I  wish  I  could  hear 
a  nightingale !" 

"  You  have  a  solitary  whip-poor-will  whistling 
his  notes,  as  if  in  lamentation  at  our  approach." 

"  Too  dolorous,  and  by  far  too  monotonous ; 
'tis  like  eating  pig  for  a  month.  But  why  are  our 
fifes  asleep  ?" 

"  The  precautions  of  a  whole  day  should  hard 
ly  be  defeated  by  the  tell-tale  notes  of  our  music," 
said  Lionel ;  "your  spirits  get  the  better  of  your 
discretion.  I  should  think  the  prospect  of  a  fa 
tiguing  march  would  have  lowered  your  vein." 

"  A  fico  for  fatigue  !"  exclaimed  Polwarth — 
'•'  we  only  go  out  to  take  a  position  at  the  colleges 
to  cover  our  supplies — we  are  for  school,  Leo — 
only  fancy  the  knapsacks  of  the  men  to  be  satchels, 
humour  my  folly,  and  you  may  believe  yourself 
once  more  a  boy." 

The  spirits  of  Polwarth  had  indeed  undergone 
a  sudden  change,  when  he  found  the  sad  anticipa 
tions  which  crossed  his  mind  on  first  hearing  of  a 
night  inroad,  so  agreeably  disappointed  by  the 
comfortable  situation  he  occupied  ;  and  he  conti 
nued  conversing  in  the  manner  described,  until 

VOL.  i.  is 


134  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

the  boats  reached  an  unfrequented  point  that 
projected  a  little  way  into  that  part  of  the  Bay 
which  washed  the  western  side  of  the  peninsula  of 
Boston.  Here  the  troops  landed,  and  were  again 
formed  with  all  possible  despatch.  The  company 
of  Polwarth  was  posted,  as  before,  at  the  head  of 
the  column  of  light-infantry,  and  an  officer  of  the 
staff  riding  a  short  distance  in  front,  it  was  direct 
ed  to  follow  his  movements.  Lionel  ordered  his 
groom  to  take  the  route  of  the  troops  with  the 
horses,  and  placing  himself  once  more  by  the  side 
of  the  captain,  they  proceeded  at  the  appointed 
signal. 

"  Now  for  the  shades  of  old  Harvard  !"  said 
Polwarth,  pointing  towards  the  humble  buildings 
of  the  university  ;  "  you  shall  feast  this  night  on 
reason,  while  I  will  make  a  more  sub — ha  !  what 
can  that  blind  quarter-master  mean  by  taking  this 
direction  !  Does  he  not  see  that  the  meadows  are 
half  covered  with  water!" 

"  Move  on,  move  on  with  the  light-infantry,'1 
cried  the  stern  voice  of  the  old  major  of  marines, 
who  rode  but  a  short  distance  in  their  rear.  "  Do 
you  falter  at  the  sight  of  water !" 

"  We  are  not  wharf-rats,"  said  Polwarth. 

Lionel  seized  b'un  by  the  arm,  and  before  thr 
disconcerted  captain  had  time  to  recollect  him 
self,  he  was  borne  through  a  wide  pool  of  stag 
nant  water,  mid-leg  deep. 

"  Do  not  let  your  romance  cost  your  commis 
sion,"  said  the  major,  as  Polwarth  floundered 
out  of  his  difficulties  ;  "  here  is  an  incident  at 
once  for  your  private  narrative  of  the  campaign." 

"Ah!  Leo,"  said  the  captain,  with  a  sort  of 
comical  sorrow,  "  I  fear  we  are  not  to  court  the 
muses  by  this  hallowed  moon  to-night !" 

"  You  can  assure  yourself  of  that,  by  observing 
that  we  leave  the  academical  roofs  on  our  left — 
our  leaders  take  the  high-way." 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  135 

They  had  by  this  time  extricated  themselves 
from  the  meadows,  and  were  moving  on  a  road 
which  led  into  the  interior. 

"You  had  better  order  up  your  groom,  and 
mount,  Major  Lincoln,"  said  Polwarth,  sullenly; 
"  a  man  need  husband  his  strength,  I  see." 

"  'Twould  be  folly  now ;  I  am  wet,  and  must 
walk  for  safety." 

With  the  departure  of  Polwarth's  spirits  the 
conversation  began  to  flag,  and  the  gentlemen 
continued  their  march  with  only  such  occasional 
communications  as  arose  from  the  passing  inci 
dents  of  their  situation.  It  very  soon  became  ap 
parent,  both  by  the  direction  given  to  the  columns, 
as  well  as  by  the  hurried  steps  of  their  guide,  that 
the  march  was  to  be  forced,  as  well  as  of  some 
length.  But  asythe  air  was  getting  cool,  even  Pol 
warth  was  not  reluctant  to  warm  his  chilled  blood 
by  more  than  ordinary  exertion.  The  columns 
opened  for  the  sake  of  ease,  and  each  man  was 
permitted  to  consult  his  own  convenience,  provid 
ed  he  preserved  his  appointed  situation,  and  kept 
even  pace  with  his  comrades.  In  this  manner  the 
detachment  advanced  swiftly,  a  general  silence 
pervading  the  whole,  as  the  spirits  of  the  men 
settled  into  that  deep  sobriety  which  denotes 
much  earnestness  of  purpose.  At  first  the  whole 
country  appeared  buried  in  a  general  sleep,  but 
as  they  proceeded,  the  barking  of  the  dogs,  and 
the  tread  of  the  soldiery,  drew  the  inhabitants  of 
the  farm-houses  to  their  windows,  who  gazed  in 
mute  wonder  at  the  passing  spectacle,  across 
which  the  mellow  light  of  the  moon  cast  a  glow 
of  brilliancy.  Lionel  had  turned  his  head  from 
studying  the  surprise  depicted  in  the  faces  of 
the  members  of  one  of  these  disturbed  families, 
when  Ahe  deep  tones  of  a  distant  church -bell 
came  sweeping  down  the  valley  in  which  they 


136  LIONEL   LINCOLN* 

marched,  ringing  peel  on  peel,  in  the  quick,  spi 
rit-stirring  sounds  of  an  alarm.  The  men  raised 
their  heads  in  wondering  attention,  as  they  ad 
vanced  ;  but  it  was  not  long  before  the  reports  of 
fire-arms  were  heard  echoing  among  the  hills,  and 
bell  began  to  answer  bell  in  every  direction,  until 
the  sounds  blended  with  the  murmurs  of  the  night- 
air,  or  were  lost  in  distance.  The  whole  country 
was  now  filled  with  every  organ  of  sound  that  the 
means  of  the  people  furnished,  or  their  ingenuity 
could  devise,  to  call  the  population  to  arms.  Fires 
blazed  along  the  heights,  the  bellowing  of  the 
conchs  and  horns,  mingled  with  the  rattling  of  the 
muskets  and  the  varied  tones  of  the  bells,  while 
the  swift  clattering  of  horses'  hoofs  began  to  be 
heard,  as  if  their  riders  were  dashing  furiously 
along  the  flanks  of  the  party. 

"  Push  on,  gentlemen,  push  on,"  shouted  the 
old  veteran  of  marines,  amid  the  din.  "  The 
Yankees  have  awoke,  and  are  stirring — we  have 
yet  a  long  road  to  journey — push  on,  light-infan 
try,  the  grenadiers  are  on  your  heels !" 

The  advance  quickened  their  steps,  and  the 
whole  body  pushed  for  their  unknown  object  with 
as  much  rapidity  as  the  steadiness  of  military 
array  would  admit.  In  this  manner  the  detach 
ment  continued  to  proceed  for  some  hours,  with 
out  halting,  and  Lionel  imagined  that  they  had 
advanced  several  leagues  into  the  country.  The 
sounds  of  the  alarm  had  now  passed  away,  having 
swept  far  inland,  until  the  faintest  evidence  of  its 
existence  was  lost  to  the  ear,  though  the  noise  of 
horsemen,  riding  furiously  along  the  by-ways, 
yet  denoted  that  men  were  still  hurrying  past 
them,  to  the  scene  of  the  expected  strife.  As  the 
deceitful  light  of  the  moon  was  blending  with 
the  truer  colours  of  day,  the  welcome  sound 
of  'halt!'  was  passed  from  the  rear  up  to  the 
:head  of  the  column  of  light-infantry. 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  137 

"Halt!"  repeated  Polwarth,  with  instinctive 
readiness,  and  with  a  voice  that  sent  the  order 
through  the  whole  length  of  their  extended  line  ; 
"  hait,  and  let  the  rear  close  ;  if  my  judgment  in 
walking  be  worth  so  much  as  an  anchovy,  they 
are  some  miles  behind  us,  by  this  time !  a  man 
needs  to  have  crossed  his  race  with  the  blood  of 
Flying  Childers  for  this  sort  of  work  !  The  next 
command  should  be  to  break  our  fasts — Tom, 
you  brought  the  trifles  I  sent  you  from  Major 
Lincoln's  quarters  ?" 

"  Yes,  Sir,"  returned  his  man ;  "  they  are  on 
the  Major's  horses,  in  the  rear,  as — " 

"The  Major's  horses  in  the  rear,  you  ass,  when 
food  is  in  such  request  in  the  front !  I  wonder, 
Leo,  if  a  mouthful  couldn't  be  picked  up  in  yon 
farm-house  ?" 

"  Pick  yourself  off  that  stone,  and  make  the 
men  dress  j  here  is  Pitcairn  closing  to  the  front 
with  the  whole  battalion." 

Lionel  had  hardly  spoken  before  an  order  was 
passed  to  the  light-infantry  to  look  to  their  arms, 
and  for  the  grenadiers  to  prime  and  load.     The 
presence  of  the  veteran  who   rode  in  front  of 
the  column,  and  the  hurry  of  the  moment,  sup 
pressed  the  complaints  of  Polwarth,  who  was  in 
truth  an  excellent  officer  as  it  respected  what  he 
himself  termed  the  '  quiescent  details  of  service.' 
Three  or  four  companies  of  the  light-corps  were 
detached  from  the   main  body,  and  formed  in 
the  open  marching  order  of  their  exercise,  when 
the  old  marine,  placing  himself  at  their  head,  gave 
forth  the  order  to  advance  again  at  a  quick  step. 
The  road  now  led  into  a  vale,  and  at  some  dis 
tance  a  small  hamlet  of  houses  was  dimly  seen 
through  the  morning  haze,  clustered  around  one 
of  the  humble,  but  decent  temples,  so  common 
in  Massachusetts.    The  halt,  and  tke  brief  pre- 
13* 


138  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

parations  that  succeeded,  had  excited  a  pow 
erful  interest  in  the  whole  of  the  detachment,  who 
pushed  earnestly  forward,  keeping  on  the  heels 
of  the  charger  of  their  veteran  leader,  as  he  pass 
ed  over  the  ground  at  a  small  trot.  The  w 
partook  of  the  scent  of  morning,  and  the  eye 
was  enabled  to  dwell  distinctly  on  surrounding 
objects,  quickening,  aided  by  the  excitement  of 
the  action,  the  blood  of  the  men  who  had  been 
toiling  throughout  the  night  in  uncertain  obscuri 
ty  along  an  unknown,  and,  apparently,  intermina 
ble  road.  Their  object  now  seemed  before  them 
and  attainable,  and  they  pressed  forward  to 
achieve  it  in  animated  but  silent  earnestness. 
The  plain  architecture  of  the  church  and  of  its 
humble  companions  had  just  become  distinct, 
when  three  or  four  armed  horsemen  were  seen 
attempting  to  anticipate  their  arrival,  by  crossing 
the  head  of  the  column,  from  a  by-path. 

"  Come  in,"  cried  an  officer  of  the  staff  in  front, 
<c  come  in,  or  quit  the  place." 

The  men  turned,  and  rode  briskly  off,  one  of 
their  party  flashing  his  piece  in  a  vain  attempt  to 
give  the  alarm.  A  low  mandate  was  now  passed 
through  the  ranks  to  push  on,  and  in  a  few  mo 
ments  they  entered  on  a  full  view  of  the  hamlet, 
the  church,  and  the  little  green  on  which  it  stood. 
The  forms  of  men  were  seen  moving  swiftly  across 
the  latter,  as  a  roll  of  a  drum  broke  from  the  spot ; 
and  there  were  glimpses  of  a  small  body  of  coun 
trymen,  drawn  up  in  the  affectation  of  military- 
parade. 

"  Push  on,  light-infantry  !"  cried  their  leader, 
spurring  his  horse,  and  advancing  with  the  staff 
at  so  brisk  a  trot,  as  to  disappear  round  an  angle 
of  the  church. 

Lionel  pressed  forward  with  a  beating  heart, 
for  a  crowd  of  horrors  rushed  across  his  imagina^ 


LIONEL   LItfCfLN.  139 

tion  at  the  moment,  when  the  stern  voice  of  the 
major  of  marines  was  again  heard,  shouting — 

"  Disperse,  ye  rebels,  disperse  ! — throw  down 
your  arms,  and  disperse  !" 

These  memorable  words  were  instantly  follow 
ed  by  the  reports  of  pistols,  and  the  fatal  man 
date  of  '  fire  !'  when  a  loud  shout  arose  from  the 
whole  body  of  the  soldiery,  who  rushed  upon  the 
open  green,  and  threw  in  a  close  discharge  on  all 
before  them. 

"  Great  God  !"  exclaimed  Lionel,  "  what  is  it 
you  do  ?  ye  fire  at  unoffending  men  !  is  there  no 
law  but  force!  beat  up  their  pieces,  Polwarth — 
stop  their  fire." 

"  Halt!"  cried  Polwarth,  brandishing  his  sword 
fiercely  among  his  men  ;  "  come  to  an  order,  or 
I'll  fell  ye  to  the  earth." 

But  the  excitement  which  had  been  gathering 
to  a  head  for  so  many  hours,  and  the  animosity 
which  had  so  long  been  growing  between  the 
troops  and  the  people,  were  not  to  be  repressed  at 
a  word.  It  was  only  when  Pitcairn  himself  rode 
in  among  the  soldiers,  and,  aided  by  his  officers, 
beat  down  their  arms,  that  the  uproar  was  gra 
dually  quelled,  and  something  like  order  was 
again  restored.  Before  this  was  effected,  how 
ever,  a  few  scattering  shot  were  thrown  back 
from  their  flying  adversaries,  though  without  ma 
terial  injury  to  the  British. 

When  the  firing  had  ceased,  officers  and  men 
stood  gating  at  each  other  for  a  few  moments,  as 
if  even  they  could  foresee  some  of  the  mighty 
events  which  were  to  follow  the  deeds  of  that  hour. 
The  smoke  slowly  arose,  like  a  lifted  veil  from 
the  green,  and  mingling  with  the  fogs  of  morning, 
drove  heavily  across  the  country,  as  if  to  commu 
nicate  the  fatal  intelligence  that  the  final  appeal 
to  arms  had  been  made.  Every  eye  was  bent 


140  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

inquiringly  on  the  fatal  green,  and  Lionel  beheld, 
with  a  feeling  allied  to  anguish,  a  few  men  at  a  dis 
tance,  writhing  and  struggling  in  their  wounds, 
while  some  five  or  six  bodies  lay  stretched  upon 
the  grass,  in  the  appalling  quiet  of  death.  Sick 
ening  at  the  sight,  he  turned,  and  walked  away  by 
himself,  while  the  remainder  of  the  troops',  alarm 
ed  by  the  reports  of  the  arms,  were  eagerly  press 
ing  up  from  the  rear  to  join  their  comrades.  Un 
wittingly  he  approached  the  church,  nor  did  he 
awake  from  the  deep  abstraction  into  which  he 
had  fallen,  until  he  was  aroused  by  the  extraordi 
nary  spectacle  of  Job  Pray,  issuing  from  the  edi 
fice  with  an  air  in  which  menace  was  singu 
larly  blended  with  resentment  and  fear.  The 
changeling  pointed  earnestly  to  the  body  of  a  man, 
who,  having  been  wounded,  had  crept  for  refuge 
near  to  the  door  of  the  temple  in  which  he  had  so 
often  worshipped  that  being  to  whom  he  had  been 
thus  hurriedly  sent  to  render  his  last  and  great 
account,  and  said  solemnly — 

"  You  have  killed  one  of  God's  creatures  ;  and 
he'll  remember  it!" 

"  I  would  it  were  one  only,"  said  Lionel ; 
"  but  they  are  many,  and  none  can  tell  where  the 
carnage  is  to  cease." 

"  Do  you  think,"  said  Job,  looking  furtively 
around  to  assure  himself  that  no  other  over 
heard  him,  "  that  the  king  can  kill  men  in  the 
.Bay-colony  as  he  can  in  London  ?  They'll  take 
this  up  in  old  Funnel,  and  'twill  ring  again,  from 
the  north-end  to  the  Neck." 

"  What  can  they  do,  boy,  after  all,"  said  Lio 
nel,  forgetting  at  the  moment  that  he  whom  he  ad 
dressed  had  been  denied  the  reason  of  his  kind — 
"  the  power  of  Britain  is  too  mighty  for  these 
-cattered  and  unprepared  colonies  to  cope  will). 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  141 

and  prudence  would  tell  the  people  to  desist  from 
resistance  while  yet  they  may." 

"  Does  the  king  believe  there  is  more  prudence 
n  London  than  there  is  in  Boston?"  returned 
the  simpleton ;  "  he  needn't  think,  because  the 
people  were  quiet  at  the  massacre,  there'll  be  no 
stir  about  this — you  have  killed  one  of  God's 
creatures,"  added  the  lad,  "  and  he'll  remem 
ber  it!" 

"  How  came  you  here,  sirrah  ?"  demanded  Lio 
nel,  suddenly  recollecting  himself ;  "did you  not 
tell  me  that  you  were  going  out  to  fish  for  your 
mother." 

"  And  if  I  did,"  returned  the  other,  sullenly, 
"  an't  there  fish  in  the  ponds  as  well  as  in  the 
bay,  and  can't  Nab  have  a  fresh  taste  ? — Job  don't 
know  there  is  any  act  of  Parliament  ag'in  taking 
brook  trout." 

"  Fellow,  you  are  attempting  to  deceive  me  ? 
Some  one  is  practising  on  your  ignorance,  and 
knowing  you  to  be  a  fool,  is  employing  you  on 
errands  that  may  one  day  cost  your  life." 

"  The  king  can't  send  Job  on  a'r'nds,"  said 
the  lad  proudly  j  "  for  there  is  no  law  for  it,  and 
Job  wont  go." 

"Your  knowledge  will  undo  you,  simpleton — 
who  should  teach  you  these  niceties  of  the  law  ?" 

"  Why,  do  you  think  the  Boston  people  so 
dumb  as  not  to  know  the  law !"  asked  Job,  with 
unfeigned  astonishment — "  and  Ralph,  too — he 
knows  as  much  law  as  the  king — he  told  me 
it  was  ag'in  all  law  to  shoot  at  the  minute-men, 
unless  they  fired  first,  because  the  colony  has 
a  right  to  train  whenever  it  pleases." 

"  Ralph  !"  said  Lionel,  eagerly — "can  Ralph 
be  with  you,  then !  'tis  impossible  ;  I  left  him  ill, 
and  at  home — neither  would  he  mingle  in  .such 
a  business  as  this,  at  his  years." 


142  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

"I  expect  Ralph  has  seen  bigger  armies  than 
the  light-infantry,  and  grannies,  and  all  the  sol 
diers  left  in  town  put  together,"  said  Job,  eva 
sively. 

•  Lionel  was  far  too  generous  to  practise  on  the 
simplicity  of  his  companion,  with  a  view  to  extract 
any  secret  which  might  endanger  his  liberty,  but 
he  felt  a  deep  concern  in  the  welfare  of  a  young 
man  who  had  been  thrown  in  his  way  in  the  man 
ner  already  related.  He  therefore  pursued  the 
subject,  with  the  double  design  to  advise  Job 
against  any  dangerous  connexions,  and  to  relieve 
his  own  anxiety  on  the  subject  of  the  aged  stran 
ger.  But  to  all  his  interrogatories  the  lad  answer 
ed  guardedly,  and  with  a  discretion  which  denot 
ed  that  he  possessed  no  small  share  of  cunning, 
though  a  higher  order  of  intellect  had  been  de 
nied  him. 

"  I  repeat  to  you,"  said  Lionel,  losing  his 
patience,  "  that  it  is  important  for  me  to  meet 
the  man  you  call  Ralph  in  the  country,  and  I 
wish  to  know  if  be  is  to  be  seen  near  here." 

"  Ralph  scorns  a  lie,"  returned  Job — "  go 
where  he  promised  to  meet  you,  and  see  if  he 
don't  come." 

"  But  no  place  was  named — and  this  unhappy 
event  may  embarrass  him,  or  frighten  him — " 

"  Frighten  him  !"  repeated  Job,  shaking  his 
head  with  solemn  earnestness;  "  you  can't  frighten 
Ralph!" 

"  His  daring  may  prove  his  misfortune.  Boy, 
I  ask  you  for  the  last  time  whether  the  old 
man — " 

Perceiving  Job  to  shrink  back  timidly,  and 
lower  in  his  looks,  Lionel  paused,  and  casting  a 
glance  behind  him,  beheld  the  captain  of  grena 
diers  standing  with  folded  arms,  silently  contem 
plating  the  body  of  the  American. 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  143 

"  Will  you  have  the  goodness  to  explain  to  me, 
Major  Lincoln,"  said  the  captain,  when  he  per 
ceived  himself  observed,  "  why  this  man  lies  here 
dead  ?" 

"  You' see  the  wound  in  his  breast?" 

"  It  is  a  palpable  and  baistly  truth  that  he  has 
been  shot — but  why,  or  with  what  design  ?" 

"  I  must  leave  that  question  to  be  answered  by 
our  superiors,  captain  M'Fuse,"  returned  Lionel. 
"  It  is,  however,  rumoured  that  the  expedition  is 
out  to  seize  certain  magazines  of  provisions  and 
arms,  which  the  colonists  have  been  collecting,  it 
is  feared,  with  hostile  intentions." 

"I  had  my  own  sagacious  thoughts  that  we 
were  bent  on  some  such  glorious  errand !"  said 
M'Fuse,  with  strong  contempt  expressed  in  his 
hard  features.  "  Tell  me,  Major  Lincoln — you 
are  certainly  but  a  young  soldier,  though,  being  of 
the  staff,  you  should  know — does  Gage  think  we 
can  have  a  war  with  the  arms  and  ammunition 
all  on  one  side  ?  We  have  had  a  long  p'ace,  Ma 
jor  Lincoln,  and  now  when  there  is  a  small  pros 
pect  of  some  of  the  peculiarities  of  our  profession 
arising,  we  are  commanded  to  do  the  very  thing 
which  is  most  likely  to  def'ate  the  object  of  war." 

"  I  do  not  know  that  1  rightly  understand  you, 
sir,"  said  Lionel ;  "  there  can  be  but  little  glory 
gained  by  such  troops  as  we  possess,  in  a  contest 
with  the  unarmed  and  undisciplined  inhabitants  of 
any  country." 

"  Exactly  my  maining,  sir;  it  is  quite  obvious 
that  we  understand  each  other  thoroughly,  with 
out  a  world  of  circumlocution.  The  lads  are  do 
ing  very  well  at  present,  and  if  left  to  themselves 
a  few  months  longer,  it  may  become  a  creditable 
affair.  You  know,  as  well  as  I  do,  Major  Lin 
coln,  that  time  is  necessary  to  make  a  soldier, 
arid  if  they  are  hurried  into  the  business,  you 


144  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

might  as  well  be  chasing  a  mob  up  Ludgate  hill, 
for  the  honour  you  will  gain.  A  discrate  officer 
would  nurse  this  little  matter,  instead  of  resorting 
to  such  precipitation.  To  my  id'a'a's,  sir,  the 
man  before  us  has  been  butchered,  and  not  slain 
in  honourable  battle  !" 

"  There  is  much  reason  to  fear  that  others  may 
use  the  same  term  in  speaking  of  the  affair,"  re 
turned  Lionel ;  "  God  knows  how  much  cause 
we  may  have  to  lament  the  death  of  the  poor 
man  !" 

"  On  that  topic,  the  man  may  be  said  to  have 
gone  through  a  business  that  was  to  be  done,  and  is 
not  to  be  done  over  again,"  said  the  captain  very 
coolly,  "  and  therefore  his  death  can  be  no  very 
great  calamity  to  himself,  whatever  it  may  be  to 
us.  If  these  minute-men,  and  as  they  stand  but 
minute  they  'arn  their  name  like  worthy  fellows — 
if  these  minute-men,  sir,  stood  in  your  way, 
you  should  have  whipped  them  from  the  green 
with  your  ramrods." 

"  Here  is  one  who  may  tell  you  that  they  arr 
not  to  be  treated  like  children  either,"  said  Lio 
nel,  turning  to  the  place  which  had  been  so  re 
cently  occupied  by  Job  Pray,  but  which,  to  his 
surprise,  he  now  found  vacant.  While  he  was 
yet  looking  around  him,  wondering  whither  the 
lad  could  so  suddenly  have  withdrawn,  the  drums 
beat  the  signal  to  form,  and  a  general  bustle 
among  the  soldiery,  showed  them  to  be  on  the 
eve  of  further  movements.  The  two  gentlemen 
instantly  rejoined  their  companions,  walking 
thoughtfully  towards  the  troops,  though  influ 
enced  by  such  totally  different  views  of  the  recent 
transactions. 

During  the  short  halt  of  the  advance,  the  whole 
detachment  was  again  united,  and  a  hasty  meal 
had  been  taken.  The  astonishment  which  sue- 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  145 

ceeded  the  rencontre,  had  given  place,  among 
the  officers,  to  a  military  pride,  capable  of  sus 
taining  them  in  much  more  arduous  circumstan 
ces.  Even  the  ardent  looks  of  professional  excite 
ment  were  to  be  seen  in  most  of  their  countenances, 
as  with  glittering  arms,  waving  banners,  and 
timing  their  march  to  the  enlivening  music  of  their 
band,  they  wheeled  from  the  fatal  spot,  and  advan 
ced  again,  with  proud  and  measured  steps,  along 
the  highway.  If  such  was  the  result  of  the  first 
encounter  on  the  lofty  and  tempered  spirits  of  the 
gentlemen  of  the  detachment,  its  effect  on  the 
common  hirelings  in  the  ranks,  was  still  more  pal 
pable  and  revolting.  Their  coarse  jests,  and  taunt 
ing  looks,  as  they  moved  by  the  despised  victims 
of  their  disciplined  skill,  together  with  the  fierce 
and  boastful  expression  of  brutal  triumph,  which 
so  many  among  them  betrayed,  exhibited  the  infal 
lible  evidence,  that  having  tasted  of  blood,  they 
were  now  ready,  like  tigers,  to  feed  on  it  till  they 
were  glutted. 


VOL.  i.  14 


CHAPTER  X. 

'•  There  was  mounting  'mong  Graemes  of  the  Netherby  clan  ; 
"  Fosters,  Fenwicks,  and  Musgraves,  they  rode  and  they  ran  : 
"  There  was  racing,  and  chasing,  on  Cannobie  Lea. — " 

Marmion. 

THE  pomp  of  military  parade  with  which  the 
troops  marched  from  the  village  of  Lexington, 
as  the  little  hamlet  was  called,  where  the  forego 
ing,  events  occurred,  soon  settled  again  into  the 
sober  and  business-like  air  of  men  earnestly  bent 
on  the  achievement  of  their  object.  It  was  no 
longer  a  secret  that  they  were  to  proceed  two 
leagues  further  into  the  interior,  to  destroy  the 
stores  already  mentioned,  and  which  were  now 
known  to  be  collected  at  Concord,  the  town  where 
the  Congress  of  Provincial  Delegates,  who  were 
substituted  by  the  colonists  for  the  ancient  legisla 
tures  of  the  Province,  held  their  meetings.  As  the 
march  could  not  now  be  concealed,  it  became  ne 
cessary  to  resort  to  expedition,  in  order  to  ensure 
its  successful  termination.  The  veteran  officer  of 
marines,  so  often  mentioned,  resumed  his  post  in 
front,  and  at  the  head  of  the  same  companies  of 
the  light  corps  which  he  had  before  led,  pushed 
in  advance  of  the  heavier  column  of  the  grenadiers. 
Polwartb,  by  this  arrangement,  perceived  himself 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  147 

again  included  among  those  on  whose  swiftness  of 
foot  so  much  depended.  When  Lionel  rejoined 
his  friend  he  found  him  at  the  head  of  his  men, 
marching  with  so  grave  an  air,  as  at  once  induced 
the  Major  to  give  him  credit  for  regrets  much 
more  commendable  than  such  as  were  connected 
with  his  physical  distress.  The  files  were  once 
more  opened  for  room,  as  well  as  for  air,  which 
was  becoming  necessary,  as  a  hot  sun  began  to 
dissipate  the  mists  of  the  morning,  and  shed  that 
enervating  influence  on  the  nv-n  so  peculiar  to  the 
first  warmth  of  an  American  Spring. 

"  This  has  been  a  hasty  business  altogether, 
Major  Lincoln,"  said  Poiwarth,  as  Lionel  took 
his  wonted  station  at  the  side  of  the  other,  and 
dropped  mechanically  into  the  regular  step  of 
the  party — "  I  know  not  that  it  is  quite  as  lawful 
to  knock  a  man  in  the  head  as  a  bullock." 

"You  then  agree  with  me  in  thinking  our  at 
tack  hasty,  if  not  cruel  ?" 

"  Hasty  !  most  unequivocally.  Haste  may  be 
called  the  distinctive  property  of  the  expedition; 
arid  whatever  destroys  the  appetile  of  an  honest 
man,  may  be  set  down  as  cruel.  I  have  not  been 
able  to  swallow  a  mouthful  of  breakfast,  Leo.  A 
man  must  have  the  cravings  of  a  hyena,  and  the 
stomach  of  an  ostrich,  to  eat  and  digest  with  such 
work  as  this  of  ours  before  his  eyes." 

"  And  yet  the  men  regard  their  acts  with 
triumph  !" 

"The  dogs  are  drilled  into  it.  But  you  saw 
how  sober  the  Provincials  looked  in  the  matter; 
we  must  endeavour  to  sooth  their  feelings  in  the 
best  manner  we  can." 

"  Will  they  not  despise  our  consolation  and  apo 
logies,  and  look  rather  to  themselves  for  redress 
and  vengeance  f" 


148  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

Polwarth  smiled  contemptuously,  and  there  was 
an  air  of  pride  about  him  that  gave  an  appearance 
of  elasticity  even  to  his  heavy  tread,  as  he  an 
swered — 

"  The  thing  is  a  bad  thing,  Major  Lincoln,  and, 
if  you  will,  a  wicked  thing — but  take  the  assurance 
of  a  man  who  knows  the  country  well,  there  will 
be  no  attempts  at  vengeance  ;  and  as  for  redress, 
in  a  military  way,  the  thing  is  impossible." 

"You  speak  with  a  confidence,  sir.  that  should 
find  its  warranty  in  an  intimate  acquaintance  with 
the  weakness  of  the  people." 

"  I  have  dwelt  two  years,  Major  Lincoln,  in 
the  very  heart  of  the  country,"  said  Polwarth. 
without  turning  his  eyes  from  the  steady  gaze  he 
maintained  on  the  long  road  which  lay  before 
him,  "even  three  hundred  miles  beyond  the  in 
habited  districts;  and  1  should  know  the  charac 
ter  of  the  nation,  as  well  as  its  resources.  In  re 
spect  to  the  latter,  there  is  no  esculent  thing 
within  its  borders,  from  a  humming-bird  to  a 
buffalo,  or  from  an  artichoke  to  a  water-me 
lon,  that  I  have  not,  on  some  occasion  or  other, 
had  tossed  up,  in  a  certain  way — therefore,  I  can 
speak  with  confidence,  and  do  not  hesitate  to  say. 
that  the  colonists  will  never  fight ;  nor,  if  they 
had  the  disposition,  do  they  possess  the  means  to 
maintain  a  war." 

"  Perhaps,  sir,"  returned  Lionel  sharply,  "you 
have  consulted  the  animals  of  the  country  too 
closely  to  be  acquaintf-d  with  its  spirits?" 

"  The  relation  between  them  is  intimate — tell 
me  what  food  a  man  diets  on,  and  I  will  furnish 
you  with  his  character.  'Tis  morally  impossible 
that  a  people  who  eat  their  pudding  before  the 
meats,  after  the  fashion  of  these  colonists,  can 
over  make  good  soldiers,  because  the  appetite  is 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  149 

appeased  before  the  introduction  of  the  succulent 
nutriment  of  the  flesh,  into — " 

"  Enough!  spare  me  the  remainder,"  interrupt 
ed  Lionel — "  too  much  has  been  said  already  to 
prove  the  inferiority  of  the  American  to  the  Eu 
ropean  animal,  and  your  reasoning  is  conclusive." 

"  Parliament  must  do  something  for  the  fami 
lies  of  the  sufferers." 

"  Parliament!"  echoed  Lionel,  with  bitter  em 
phasis  ;  "  yes,  we  shall  be  called  on  to  pass  reso 
lutions  to  commend  the  decision  of  the  General, 
and  the  courage  of  the  Iroops  ;  and  then,  after 
we  have  added  every  possible  insult  to  the  injury, 
under  the  conviction  of  our  imaginary  supremacy, 
we  may  hear  of  some  paltry  sum  to  the  widows  and 
orphans,  cited  as  an  evidence  of  the  unbounded 
generosity  of  the  nation  !" 

"The  feeding  of  six  or  seven  broods  of  young 
Yankees  is  no  such  trifle,  Major  Lincoln,"  re 
turned  Polwarth  ;  "  and  there  1  trust  the  unhap 
py  affair  will  end.  We  are  now  marching  on 
Concord,  a  place  with  a  most  auspicious  name, 
where  we  shall  find  repose  under  its  shadow,  as 
well  as  the  food  of  this  home-made  parliament, 
which  they  have  gotten  together.  These  consi 
derations  alone  support  me  under  the  fatigue  of 
this  direful  trot  with  which  old  Pitcairn  goes 
over  the  ground — does  the  man  think  he  is  hunt 
ing  with  a  pack  of  beagles  at  his  heels  !" 

The  opinion  expressed  by  his  companion,  con 
cerning  the  martial  propensities  of  the  Americans, 
was  one  too  common  among  the  troops  to  excite 
any  surprise  in  Lionel,  but  disgusted  with  the  illi- 
berality  of  the  sentiment,  and  secretly  offended  at 
the  supercilious  manner  with  which  the  other  ex 
pressed  these  injurious  opinions  of  his  countrymen, 
he  continued  his  route  in  silence,  while  Polwarth 

14* 


150  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

speedily  lost  his  loquacious  propensity,  in  a  sense 
of  the  fatigue  that  assailed  every  muscle  and 
joint  in  his  body. 

That  severe  training  of  the  corps,  concerning 
which  the  captain  vented  such  frequent  com 
plaints,  now  stood  the  advance  in  good  service. 
It  was  apparent  that  the  whole  country  was  in  a 
state  of  high  alarm,  and  small  bodies  of  armed 
men  were  occasionally  seen  on  the  heights  that 
flanked  their  route,  though  no  attempts  were 
made  to  revenge  the  deaths  of  those  who  fell  at 
Lexington.  The  march  of  the  troops  was  ac 
celerated  rather  with  a  belief  that  the  colonists 
might  remove,  or  otherwise  secrete  the  stores, 
than  from  any  apprehension  that  they  would 
dare  to  oppose  the  progress  of  the  chosen  troops 
of  the  army.  The  slight  resistance  of  the  Ame 
ricans  in  the  rencontre  of  that  morning,  was  al 
ready  a  jest  among  the  soldiers,  who  sneering- 
ly  remarked,  that  the  term  of  "  minute-men,"  was 
deservedly  applied  to  warriors  who  had  proved 
themselves  so  dexterous  at  flight.  In  short,  every 
opprobrious  and  disrespectful  epithet  that  con 
tempt  and  ignorance  could  invent,  were  freely 
lavished  on  the  forbearing  mildness  of  the  sutFer- 
ing  colonists.  In  this  temper  the  troops  reached 
a  point  whence  the  modest  spire  and  roofs  of 
Concord  became  visible.  A  small  body  of  the 
colonists  retired  through  the  place  as  the  English 
advanced,  and  th^  detachment  entered  the  town 
without  the  least  resistance,  and  with  the  appear 
ance  of  conquerors.  Lionel  was  not  long  in  dis 
covering  from  such  of  the  inhabitants  as  remain 
ed,  that,  notwithstanding  their  approach  had  been 
known  for  some  time,  the  events  of  that  morn 
ing  were  yet  a  secret  from  the  people  of  the  vil 
lage.  Detachments  from  the  light  corps  were 
immediately  sent  in  various  directions;  some  to 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  151 

search  for  the  ammunition  and  provisions,  and 
some  to  guard  the  approaches  to  the  place.  One, 
in  particular,  followed  the  retreating  footsteps 
of  the  Americans,  and  took  post  at  a  bridge, 
at  some  little  distance,  which  cut  off  the  com 
munication  with  the  country  to  the  northward. 
In  the  meantime,  the  work  of  destruction  was 
commenced  in  the  town,  chiefly  under  the  su- 
perintendance  of  the  veteran  officer  of  the  ma 
rines.  The  few  male  inhabitants  who  remained 
in  their  dwellings,  were  of  necessity  peaceable, 
though  Lionel  could  read  in  their  flushed  cheeks 
and  gleaming  eyes,  the  secret  indignation  of  men, 
who,  accustomed  to  the  protection  of  the  law, 
now  found  themselves  .subjected  to  the  insults  and 
wanton  abuses  of  a  military  inroad.  Every  door 
was  flung  open,  and  no  place  was  held  sacred 
from  the  rude  scrutiny  of  the  licentious  soldiery. 
Taunts  and  execrations  soon  mingled  with  the 
seeming  moderation  with  which  the  search  had 
commenced,  and  loud  exultation  was  betrayed, 
even  among  the  officers,  as  the  scanty  provisions 
of  the  colonists  were  gradually  brought  to  light, 
It  was  not  a  moment  to  respect  private  rights, 
and  the  freedom  and  ribaldry  of  the  men  were  on 
the  point  of  becoming  something  more  serious, 
when  the  report  of  fire-arms  was  heard  suddenly 
to  issue  from  the  post  held  by  the  light-infan 
try,  at  the  bridge.  A  ft-w  scattering  shot  were 
succeeded  by  a  volley,  which  was  answered  by 
another,  with  the  quickness  of  lightning,  and  then 
the  air  became  filled  with  the  incessant  rattling  of 
a  sharp  conflict.  Every  arm  was  suspended,  and 
each  tongue  became  mute  with  astonishment, 
and  the  men  abandoned  their  occupations  as  these 
unexpected  sounds  of  war  broke  on  their  ears. 
The  chiefs  of  the  party  were  seen  in  consultation, 
and  horsemen  rode  furiously  into  the  place,  to 


152  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

communicate  the  nature  of  this  new  conflict.  The 
r-ink  of  Major  Lincoln  soun  obtained  for  him  a 
knowledge  thatit  was  thought  impolitic  to  commu 
nicate  to  the  whole  detachment.  Notwithstanding 
it  was  apparent  that  they  v\ho  brought  the  in 
telligence  were  anxious  to  give  it  the  most  fa 
vourable  aspect,  he  soon  discovered  that  the 
same  body  of  Aiiieticans  which  had  retired  at 
their  approach,  having  attempted  to  return  to 
their  homes  in  the  town,  had  been  fired  on  at  the 
bridge,  and  in  the  skirmish  which  succeeded,  the 
troops  had  bern  compelled  to  give  way  with 
loss.  The  effect  of  this  prompt  and  spirited 
conduct  on  the  part  uf  the  provincials  produced 
a  sudden  alteration,  not  only  in  the  aspect,  but 
also  in  the  proceedings  of  the  troops.  The  de 
tachments  were  recalled,  the  drums  beat  to  arms, 
and,  for  the  first  time,  both  officers  and  men 
seemed  to  recollect  that  they  had  six  leagues 
to  march  through  a  country  that  hardly  con 
tained  a  friend.  Still  few  or  no  enemies  were  visi 
ble,  with  the  exception  of  those  men  of  Concord, 
who  had  already  drawn  blood  freely  from  the 
invaders  of  their  domestic  sanctuaries.  The  dead, 
and  all  the  common  wounded,  were  left  where 
they  had  fallen,  and  it  was  thought  an  unfavoura 
ble  omen  among  the  observant  of  the  detachment, 
that  a  wounded  young  subaltern,  of  rank  and 
fortune,  was  also  abandoned  to  the  mercy  of  the 
exasperated  Americans.  The  privates  caught  the 
infection  from  their  officers,  and  Lionel  saw,  that 
in  place  of  the  higii  and  insulting  confidence 
with  which  the  troops  had  wheeled  into  the 
streets  of  Concord,  that  they  left  them,  when 
the  order  was  given  to  march,  with  faces  bent 
anxiously  on  the  surrounding  heights,  and  with 
looks  that  bespoke  a  consciousness  of  the  dan 
gers  that  were  likely  to  beset  the  long  road  which 
lay  before  them. 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  153 

Their  apprehensions  were  not  groundless.  The 
troops  had  hardly  commenced  their  march  be 
fore  a  volley  was  fired  upon  them  from  the  pro 
tection  of  a  barn,  and  as  they  advanced,  volley 
succeeded  volley,  and  musket  answered  musket 
from  behind  every  cover  that  offered1  to  their 
assailants.  At  first  these  desultory  and  feeble 
attacks  were  but  little  regarded  ;  a  brisk  charge, 
and  a  smart  fire  of  a  few  moments  never  fail 
ing  to  disperse  their  enemies,  when  the  troops 
again  proceeded  for  a  short  distance  unmolested. 
But  the  alarm  of  the  preceding  night  had  gather 
ed  the  people  over  an  immense  extent  of  country  ; 
and,  having  waited  for  information,  those  nearest 
to  the  scene  of  action  were  already  pressing 
forward  to  the  assistance  of  their  friends.  There 
was  but  little  order,  and  no  concert  among  the 
Americans  ;  but  each  party,  as  it  arrived,  pushed 
into  the  fray,  hanging  on  the  skirts  of  their  ene 
mies,  or  making  spirited  though  ineffectual  efforts 
to  stop  their  progress.  While  the  men  from  the 
towns  behind  them,  pressed  upon  their  rear,  the 
population  in  their  front  accumulated  in  bodies, 
like  a  rolling  ball  of  snow,  and  before  half  the 
distance  between  Concord  and  Lexington  was 
accomplished,  Lionel  perceived  that  the  safety 
of  their  boasted  power  was  in  extreme  jeopardy. 
During  the  first  hour  of  these  attacks,  while  they 
were  yet  distant,  desultory,  and  feeble,  the  young 
soldidr  had  marched  by  the  side  of  M'Fuse, 
who  shook  his  head  disdainfully  whenever  a  shot 
whistled  near  him,  and  did  not  fail  to  comment 
freely  on  the  folly  of  commencing  a  war  thus  pre 
maturely,  which,  if  properly  nursed,  might,  to  use 
his  own  words,  "  be  in  time  brought  to  some- 
th'.ng  pretty  and  interesting." 

"  You  perceive,  Major  Lincoln,"  he  added, 
"  that  these  Provincials  have  got  the  first  ele- 


154  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

ments  of  the  art,  fur  the  rascals  fire  with  exceed 
ing  accuracy,  when  the  distance  is  considered; 
and  six  months  or  a  year  of  close  drilling  would 
make  them  gooil  for  something  in  a  regular 
charge.  They  h;tve  got  a  smart  crack  to  their 
p'aces,  and  a  pretty  whiz  to  iheir  lead  already; 
if  they  could  but  learn  to  deliver  their  fire  in  pla 
toons,  the  lads  might  make  some  impression  on 
the  light-infantry  even  now  ;  and  in  a  year  or  two, 
sir,  they  would  not  be  unworthy  of  the  favours  of 
the  grenadiers." 

Lionel  listened  to  thi-,  and  much  other  similar 
discourse,  with  a  vacant  ear  ;  but  as  the  combat 
thickened,  the  blood  of  the  young  man  began 
to  course  more  -^viftly  through  his  veins;  and 
at  length,  excited  b\  the  noise  and  the  danger 
which  was  pressing  more  closely  around  them, 
he  mounted,  and  -riding  to  the  commander  of 
the  detachment,  tendered  his  assistance  as  a  vo 
lunteer  aid,  having  lo*t  every  other  sensation  in 
youthful  blood,  and  the  pride  of  arms.  He 
was  immediately  charged  \\ith  oniers  for  the 
advance,  and  driving  his  spurs  into  his  steed, 
he  dashed  through  the  scattered  line  of  fighting 
and  jaded  troops,  and  galloped  to  its  head. 
Here  he  found  several  companies,  diligently 
employed  in  clearing  the  way  for  their  com 
rades,  as  new  foes  appeared  at  every  few  rods 
that  they  advanced.  Even  as  Lionel  approach 
ed,  a  heavy  sheet  of  fire  flashed  from  a  close 
barn-yard,  full  in  the  faces  of  the  leading  files, 
sending  the  swift  engines  of  death  into  the  very 
centre  of  the  party. 

"  Wheel  a  company  of  the  light-infantry,  cap 
tain  Polwarth,"  cried  the  old  major  of  marines, 
who  battled  stoutly  in  the  van,  "  and  drive  the 
skulking  scoundrels  from  their  ambush." 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  155 

"  Oh  !  by  the  sweets  of  ease,  and  the  hopes  of 
a  halt !  but  here  is  another  tribe  of  these  white 
savages !"  responded  the  unfortunate  captain — 
"  Look  out,  my  brave  men  !  blaze  away  over  the 
Avails  on  your  left — give  no  quarter  to  the  an 
noying  rascals — get  the  first  shot — give  them  a 
foot  of  your  steel." 

While  venting  such  terrible  denunciations  and 
commands,  which  were  drawn  from  the  peaceable 
captain  by  the  force  of  circumstances,  Lionel 
beheld  his  friend  disappear  amid  the  buildings 
of  the  farm-yard  in  a  cloud  of  smoke,  followed 
by  his  troops.  In  a  few  minutes  afterwards,  as 
the  line  toiled  its  way  up  the  hill  on  which  this 
scene  occurred,  Polwaitb  re-appeared,  issuing 
from  the  fray  with  his  fare  blackened  and  grimed 
with  powder,  while  a  sheet  of  flame  arose  from 
the  spot  which  soon  laid  the  devoted  buildings  of 
the  unfortunate  husbandman  in  ruins. 

"  Ha !  Major  Lincoln."  he  cried,  as  he  ap 
proached  the  other,  "  do  you  call  these  light-in 
fantry  movements  !  to  me  they  are  the  torments 
of  the  damned  ! — Go,  you  who  have  influence, 
and  what  is  better,  a  horse,  go  to  Smith,  and  tell 
him  if  he  will  call  a  halt,  I  will  engage,  with 
my  single  company,  to  seat  ourselves  in  any  field 
he  may  select,  and  keep  these  blood-suckers  at 
bay  for  an  hour,  while  the  detachment  can  rest 
and  satisfy  their  hunger — trusting  that  he  will 
then  allow  time  for  his  defenders  to  perform  the 
same  necessary  operations.  A  night-march,  no 
breakfast — a  burning  sun— mile  after  mile — no 
halt,  and  nothing  but  fire — fire — 'tis  opposed  to 
every  principle  in  physics,  and  even  to  the  ana 
tomy  of  man  to  think  he  can  endure  it !" 

Lionel  endeavoured  to  encourage  his  friend  to 
new  exertions,  and  turning  away  from  their 


156  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

leader,  spoke  cheeringly,  and  with  a  martial  tone, 
to  his  troops.  The  men  cheered  as  they  passed, 
and  dashed  forward  to  new  encounters  ;  the  Ame 
ricans  yielding  sullenly,  but  necessarily,  to  the 
constant  charges  of  the  bayonet,  to  which  the  re-* 
gulars  resorted  to  dislodge  them.  As  the  advance 
moved  on  again,  Lionel  turned  to  contemplate 
the  scene  in  the  rear.  They  had  now  been  march 
ing  and  fighting  for  two  hours,  with  little  or  no 
cessation,  and  it  was  but  too  evident  that  the 
force  of  the  assailants  was  increasing,  both  in  num 
bers  and  in  daring,  at  each  step  they  took.  On 
either  side  of  the  highway,  along  the  skirts  of  eve 
ry  wood  or  orchard,  in  the  open  fields,  and  from 
every  house,  barn,  or  cover  in  sight,  theflash  of  fire- 
arms  was  to  be  seen,  while  the  shouts  of  the  Eng 
lish  grew,  at  each  instant,  feebler  and  less  inspirit 
ing.  Heavy  clouds  of  soioke  rose  above  the  val 
ley,  into  which  he  looked,  and  mingled  with  the 
dust  of  the  march,  drawing  an  impenetrable 
veil  before  the  view;  but  as  the  wind,  at  moments, 
shoved  it  aside,  he  caught  glimpses  of  the  wor 
ried  and  faltering  platoons  of  the  party,  some 
times  breasting  and  repulsing  an  attack  with  spi 
rit,  and  SL\  others  shrinking  from  the  contest,  with 
an  ill-concealed  desire  to  urge  their  retreat  to  the 
verge  of  an  absolute  flight.  Young  as  he  was, 
Major  Lincoln  knew  enough  of  his  profession 
to  understand  that  nothing  but  the  want  of  con 
cert,  and  of  a  unity  of  command  among  the 
Americans,  saved  the  detachment  from  total 
destruction.  The  attacks  were  growing  extreme 
ly  spirited,  and  not  unfrequently  close  and  bloody, 
though  the  discipline  of  the  troops  enabled  them 
still  to  bear  up  against  this  desultory  and  divided 
warfare,  when  Lionel  heard,  with  a  pleasure,-  he 
could  not  conceal,  the  loud  shouts  that  arose  from 
the  van,  as  the  cheering  intelligence  was  proclaim- 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  157 

ed  through  the  ranks,  that  the  cloud  of  dust  in 
their  front  was  raised  by  a  chosen  brigade  of 
their  comrades,  which  had  come  most  timely  to 
their  succour,  with  the  Heir  of  Northumberland 
at  its  head.  The  Americans  gave  way  as  the 
two  detachments  joined,  and  the  artillery  of  the 
succours  opened  upon  their  flying  parties,  giving 
a  few  minutes  of  stolen  rest  to  those  who  needed 
it  so  much.  Polwarth  threw  himself  flat  on  the 
earth,  as  Lionel  dismounted  at  his  side,  and  his 
example  was  followed  by  the  whole  party,  who 
lay  panting,  under  the  heat  and  fatigue,  like  wor 
ried  deer,  that  had  succeeded  in  throwing  the 
hounds  from  their  scent. 

"  As  I  am  a  gentleman  of  simple  habits,  and  a 
man  innocent  of  all  this  bloodshed,  Major  Lin 
coln,"  said  the  captain,  "I  pronounce  this  march  to 
be  a  most  unjust  draft  on  the  resources  of  human 
nature.  I  have  journeyed  at  least  five  leagues 
between  this  spot  and  that  place  of  discord  that 
they  falsely  call  Concord,  within  two  hours, 
amidst  dust,  smoke,  groans,  and  other  infernal 
cries,  that  would  cause  the  best  trained  racer  in 
England  to  bolt;  and  breathing  an  air,  all  the 
time,  that  would  boil  an  egg  i«  two  minutes  and 
a  quarter,  if  fairly  exposed  to  it." 

"You  overrate  the  Distance — 'tis  but  two 
leagues  by  the  stones — " 

"  Stones  !"  interrupted  Polwarth — "  I  scorn 
their  lies — I  have  a  leg  here  that  is  a  better  in 
dex  for  miles,  feet,  or  even  inches,  than  was  ever 
chiseled  in  stone." 

"  We  must  not  contest  this  idle  point,"  r,eturn- 
ed  Lionel,  "for  I  see  the  troops  are  about  to  dine; 
and  we  have  need  of  every  moment  to  reach  Bos 
ton  before  the  night  closes  around  us." 

"Eat!  Boston!  night!"  slowly  repeated  Pol 
warth,  raising  himself  on  one  arm,  and  staring 

VOL.  i.  13 


158  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

wildly  about  him.  "Surely  no  man  among  us 
is  so  mad  as  to  talk  of  moving  from,  this  spot 
short  of  a  week — it  would  take  half  that  time 
to  receive  the  internal  refreshment  necessary  to 
our  systems,  and  the  remainder  to  restore  us  heal 
thy  appetites." 

"  Such,  however,  are  the  orders  of  the  Earl 
Percy,  from  whom  I  learn  that  the  whole  coun 
try  is  rising  in  our  front." 

"Ay,  but  they  are  fellows  who  slept  peace 
fully  in  their  beds  the  past  night;  and  I  dare 
say  that  every  dog  among  them  ate  his  half-pound 
of  pork,  together  with  additions  suitable  for  a 
breakfast,  before  he  crossed  his  threshold  this 
morning.  But  with  us  the  case  is  different. 
It  is  incumbent  on  two  thousand  British  troops 
to  move  with  deliberation,  if  it  should  be  only 
for  the  credit  of  his  majesty's  arms.  No,  no — 
the  gallant  Percy  too  highly  respects  his  princely 
lineage  and  name  to  assume  the  appearance  of 
flight  before  a  mob  of  base-born  hinds !" 

The  intelligence  of  Lionel  was  nevertheless 
true  ;  for  after  a  short  halt,  allowing  barely  time 
enough  to  the  troops  to  eat  a  hasty  meal,  the 
drums  again  lieat  the  signal  to  march,  and  Pol- 
warth,  as  well  as  many  hundred  others,  was  reluc 
tantly  compelled  to  resume  his  feet,  under  the 
penalty  of  being  abandoned  to  the  fury  of  the 
exasperated  Americans.  While  the  troops  were 
in  a  state  of  rest,  the  field-pieces  of  the- reinforce 
ment  kept  their  foes  at  a  distance,  but  the  in 
stant  the  guns  were  limbered,  and  the  files  had 
once  more  opened  for  room,  the  attacks  were 
renewed  from  every  quarter,  with  redoubled  fury. 
The  excesses  of  the  troops,  who  had  begun  t« 
vent  their  anger  by  plundering  and  firing  the 
dwellings  that  they  passed,  added  to  the  bitter- 
of  the  attacks,  and  the  march  had  not 


LIONEL    LIfiJCOLS.  159 

been  renewed  many  minutes,  before  a  fiercer 
conflict  raged  along  its  skirts  than  bad  been  be 
fore  witnessed  on  that  day. 

"  Would  to  God  that  the  great  Northumbrian 
xvould  form  us  in  order  of  battle,  and  make  a  fail- 
field  with  the  Yankees,"  groaned  Polwarth,  as 
he  toiled  his  way  once  more  with  the  advance — 
"  half  an  hour  would  settle  the  matter,  and  a 
man  would  then  possess  the  gratification  of  see 
ing  himself  a  victor,  or  at  least  of  knowing  that 
he  was  comfortably  and  quietly  dead." 

"  Few  of  us  would  ever  arrive  in  the  morn 
ing,  if  we  left  the  Americans  a  night  to  gather 
in ;  and  a  halt  of  an  hour  would  lose  us  the  advan 
tages  of  the  whole  march,"  returned  Lionel — 
"Cheer  up,  my  old  comrade,  and  you  will  esta 
blish  your  reputation  for  activity  for  ever — here 
comes  a  party  of  the  Provincials  over  the  crest 
of  the  hill  to  keep  you  in  employment." 

Polwarth  cast  a  look  of  despair  at  Lionel,  as 
he  muttered  in  reply — 

"  Employment !  God  knows  that  there  has  not 
been  a  single  muscle,  sinew,  or  joint  in  my  body 
in  a  state  of  wholesome  rest  for  four-and-twenty 
hours!"  Then  tuiulug  to  his  men,  he  cried,  with 
tones  so  cheerful  and  animated,  that  they  seemed 
to  proceed  from  a  final  and  closing  exertion,  as 
he  led  them  gallantly  into  the  approaching  fray — 
"  Scatter  the  dogs,  my  brave  friends — away  with 
them  like  gnats,  like  moscheltos,  like  leeches,  as 
they  are — give  it  them — lead  and  steel  by  hands- 
ful"— 

"  On — push  on  with  the  advance!"  shouted  the 
old  major  of  marines,  who  observed  the  leading 
platoons  to  stagger. 

The  voice  of  Polwarth  was  once  more  heard  in 
the  din,  and  their  irregular  assailants  sullenly 
yielded  before  the  charge. 


160  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

"On — on  with  the  advance!"  cried  fifty  voices 
out  of  a  cloud  of  smoke  and  dust  that  was  moving 
up  the  hill,  on  whose  side  this  encounter  occurred. 

In  this  manner  the  war  continued  to  roll  slow 
ly  onward,  following  the  weary  and  heavy  foot 
steps  of  the  soldiery,  who  had  now  toiled  for 
many  miles,  surrounded  by  the  din  of  battle,  and 
leaving  in  their  path  the  bloody  impressions  of 
their  footsteps.  Lionel  was  enabled  to  trace  their 
route,  far  towards  the  north,  by  the  bright  red 
spots,  which  lay  scattered  in  alarming  numbers 
along  the  highway,  and  in  the  fields  through 
which  the  troops  occasionally  moved.  He  even 
found  time,  in  the  intervals  of  rest,  to  note  the 
difference  in  the  characters  of  the  combatants. 
Whenever  the  ground  or  the  circumstances  ad 
mitted  of  a  regular  attack,  the  dying  confidence 
of  the  troops  would  seem  restored,  and  they 
moved  up  to  the  charge  with  the  bold  carriage 
which  high  discipline  inspires,  rending  the  air 
with  shouts,  while  their  e  demies  melted  before 
their  power  in  sullen  silence,  never  ceasing  to 
use  their  weapons  however,  with  an  expertness 
that  rendered  them  doubly  dangerous.  The  di 
rection  of  the  columns  frequeiftly  brought  the 
troops  over  ground  that  had  been  sharply  contest 
ed  in  front,  and  the  victims  of  these  short  struggles 
came  under  the  eyes  of  the  detachment.  It  was 
necessary  to  turn  a  deaf  ear  to  the  cries  and 
prayers  of  many  wounded  soldiers,  who,  with  hor 
ror  and  abject  fear  written  on  every  feature  of 
their  countenances,  were  the  helpless  witnesses 
of  the  retreating  files  of  their  comrades.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  American  lay  in  his  blood,  re 
garding  the  passing  detachment  with  a  stern  and 
indignant  eye,  that  appeared  to  look  far  beyond 
his  individual  suffering.  Over  one  body,  Lionel 
pulled  the  reins  of  his  horse,  and  he  paused  a, 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  161 

moment  to  consider  the  spectacle.  It  was  the 
lifeless  form  of  a  man,  whose  white  locks,  hollow 
cheeks,  and  emaciated  frame,  denoted  that  the 
bullet  which  had  stricken  him  to  the  earth  had 
anticipated  the  irresistible  decrees  of  time  but 
a  very  few  days.  He  had  fallen  on  his  back, 
and  his  glazed  eye  expressed,  even  in  death,  the  . 
honest  resentment  he  had  felt  while  living ;  and 
his  palsied  hand  continued  to  grasp  the  fire-lock, 
old  and  time-worn,  like  its  owner,  with  which  he 
had  taken  the  field  in  behalf  of  his  country. 

"  Where  can  a  contest  end  which  calls  such 
champions' ttfvits  aid  !"»  exclaimed  Lionel,  observ 
ing  that  tl&  shadow  of  another  spectator  fell 
across  the  wan  features  of  the  dead — "  who  can 
tell  where  this  torrent  of  blood  can  be  stayed,  or 
how  many  are  to  be  its  victims!" 

Receiving  no  answer,  he  raised  his  eyes,  and  dis 
covered  that  he  had  unwittingly  put  this  search 
ing  question  to  the  very  man  whose*  rashness  had 
precipitated  the  war.  It  was  the  major  of  marines, 
who  sat  looking  at  the  sight,  for  a  minute,  with  an 
eye  as  vacant  as  the  one  that  seemed  to  throw 
back  his  wild  gjjize,  and  then  rousing  from  his 
trance,  he  buried  his  rowels  in  the  flanks  of  his 
horse,  and  disappeared  in  the  smoke  that  envelo 
ped  a  body  of  the  grenadiers,  waving  his  sword 
on  high,  and  shouting — 

"  On — push  on  with  the  advance  !" 

Major  Lincoln  slowly  followed,  musing  on  the 
scene  he  had  witnessed,  when,  to  his  surprise,  he 
encountered  Pplwarth,  seated  on  a  rock  by  the 
roadside,  looking  with  a  listless  and  dull  eye  at 
the  retreating  columns.  Checking  his  charger, 
he  inquired  of  his  friend  if  he  were  hurt. 

"  Only  melted,"  returned  the  captain  j  "  1  have 
outdone  the  speed  of  man  this  day,  Major  Lin 
coln,  and  can  do  no  more.     If  you  see  any  of 
15* 


•  • 

162  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

my  friends  in  dear  England,  tell  them  that  I  met 
my  fate  as  a  soldier  should,  stationary ;  though  I 
am  actually  melting  away  in  rivulets,  like  the 
snows  of  April." 

"  Good  God !  you  will  not  remain  here  to  be 
slain  by  the  Provincials,  by  whom  you  see  we  are 
completely  enveloped  f" 

"  I  am  preparing  a  speech  for  the  first  Yankee 
who  may  approach.  If  he  be  a  true  man  he  wilt 
melt  into  tears  at  my  sufferings  this  day — if  a 
savage,  my  heirs  will  be  spared  the  charges  of 
my  funeral." 

Lionel  would  have  continued  his  remonstrances, 
but  a  fierce  encounter  between  a  flanking  party  of 
the  troops  and  a  body  of  Americans,  drove  the 
former  close  upon  him,  and  leaping  the  wall  he 
rallied  his  comrades,  and  turned  the  tide  of  battle 
in  their  favour.  He  was  drawn  far  from  the  spot 
by  the  vicissitpdes  of  the  combat,  and  there  wa: 
a  moment,  while  passing  from  one  body^of  the 
troops  to  another,  that  he  found  himself  unexpect 
edly  alone,  in  a  most  dangerous  vicinity  to  a  small 
wood.  The  hurried  call  of  "pick  off  that  officer,'7 
first  aroused  him  to  his  extreme  danger,  and  he 
had  mechanically  bowed  himself  on  the  neck  of 
his  charger,  in  expectation  of  the  fatal  messen 
gers,  when  a  voice  was  heard  among  the  Ameri 
cans,  crying,  in  tones  that  caused  every  nerve  in 
his  body  to  thrill — 

"  Spare  him !  for  the  love  of  that  God  you 
worship,  spare  him  !" 

The  overwhelming  sensations  of  the  moment 
prevented  flight,  and  the  young  man  beheld  Ralph, 
running  with  frantic  gestures,  along  the  skirts  oi 
the  cover,  beating  up  the  fire-arms  of  twenty 
Americans,  and  repeating  his  cries  in  a  voice 
that  did  not  seem  to  belong  to  a  human  being — 
then,  in  the  confusion  which  whirled  through  his 
brain,  Lionel  thought  himself  a  prisoner,  as  a 


LIONEL    LINCOLN* 

man,  armed  with  a  long  rifle,  glided  from  the 
wood,  and  laid  his  hand  on  the  rein  of  his 
bridle,  saying  earnestly — 

"  'Tis  a  bloody  day,  and  God  will  remember 
it ;  but  if  Major  Lincoln  will  ride  straight  down 
the  hill,  the  people  wont  fire  for  fear  of  hitting 
Job — and  when  Job  fires,  he'll  shoot  that  granny 
who's  getting  over  the  wall,  and  there'll  never  be 
a  stir  about  it  in  Funnel-Hall." 

Lionel  wheeled  away  quicker  than  thought, 
and  as  his  charger  took  long  and  desperate  leaps 
down  the  slight  declivity,  he  heard  the  shouts  of 
the  Americans  behind  him,  the  crack  of  Job's 
rifle,  and  the  whizzing  of  the  bullet  which  the 
changeling  sent,  as  he  had  promised,  in  a  direc 
tion  to  do  him  no  harm.  On  gaining  a  place 
of  comparative  safety,  he  found  Pitcairn  in  the 
act  of  abandoning  his  bleeding  horse,  the  close 
and  bitter  attacks  of  the  Provincials  rendering  it 
no  longer  safe  for  an  officer  to  be  seen  riding  on 
the  flanks  of  the  detachment.  Lionel,  though  he 
valued  his  steed  highly,  had  also  received  so  many 
intimations  of  the  dangerous  notice  he  had  at 
tracted,  that  he  was  soon  obliged  to  follow  this 
example,  and  he  saw,  with  deep  regret,  the  noble 
animal  scouring  across  the  fields  with  a  loose  rein, 
snorting  and  snuffing  the  tainted  air.  He  now 
joined  a  party  of  the  combatants  on  foot,  and 
continued  to  animate  them  to  new  exertions  dur 
ing  the  remainder  of  the  tedious  way. 

From  the  moment  the  spires  of  Boston  .met 
the  view  of  the  troops,  the  struggle  became  in 
tensely  interesting.  New  vigour  was  imparted  to 
their  weary  frames  by  the  cheering  sight,  and 
assuming  once  more  the  air  of  high  martial 
training,  they  bore  up  against  the  assaults  of 
their  enemies  with  renewed  spirit.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  Americans  seemed  aware  that  the  mo 
ments  of  vengeance  were  passing  swiftly  away,. 


164  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

and  boys,  and  grey-headed  men,  the  wounded  and 
the  active,  crowded  around  their  invaders,  as  if 
eager  to  obtain  a  parting  blow.  Even  the  peace 
ful  ministers  of  God  were  known  to  take  the  field 
on  that  memorable  occasion,  and,  mingling  with 
their  parishioners,  to  brave  every  danger  in  a 
cause  which  they  believed  in  consonance  with 
their  holy  calling.  The  sun  was  sinking  over  the 
land,  and  the  situation  of  the  detachment  had  be 
come  nearly  desperate,  when  Percy  abandoned 
the  idea  of  reaching  the  Neck,  across  which  he 
had  proudly  marched  that  morning  from  Boston, 
and  strained  every  nerve  to  get  the  remainder  of 
his  command  within  the  peninsula  of  Charlestown. 
The  crests  and  the  sides  of  the  heights  were  alive 
.  with  men,  and  as  the  shades  of  evening  closed 
about  the  combatants,  the  bosoms  of  the  Ame 
ricans  beat  high  with  hope,  while  they  witness 
ed  the  faltering  steps  and  slackened  fire  of  the 
troops.  But  high  discipline, ^finally  so  far  pre 
vailed  as  to  snatch  the  English  from  the  very 
grasp  of  destruction,  and  enabled  them  to  gain 
the  narrow  entrance  to  the  desired  shelter,  just  as 
night  had  come  apparently  to  seal  their  doom. 

Lionel  stood  leaning  against  a  fence,  as  this 
fine  body  of  men,  which  a  few  hours  before  had 
thought  themselves  equal  to  a  march  through  the 
colonies,  defiled  slowly  and  heavily  by  him, 
dragging  their  weary  and  exhausted  limbs  up  the 
toilsome  ascent  of  Bunker-Hill.  The  haughty 
eyes  of  most  of  the  officers  were  bent  to  the 
earth  in  shame;  and  the  common  herd,  even 
in  that  place  of  security,  cast  many  an  anxious 
glance  behind  them,  to  assure  themselves  that  the 
despised  inhabitants  of  the  Province  were  no 
longer  pressing  on  their  footsteps.  Platoon  after 
platoon  passed,  each  man  compelled  to  depend  on 
his  own  wearied  limbs  for  support,  until  Lionel  at 


LIONEL    LINCOLN,  .         165 

last  saw  a  solitary  horseman  slowly  ascending 
among  the  crowd.  To  his  utter  amazement 
and  great  joy,  as  this  officer  approached,  he 
beheld  Polwarth,  mounted  on  his  own  steed, 
riding  towards  him,  with  a  face  of  the  utmost, 
complacency  and  composure.  The  dress  of  the 
captain  was  torn  in  many  places,  and  the  hous 
ings  of  the  saddle  were  cut  into  ribands,  while 
here  and  there  a  spot  of  clotted  blood,  on 
the  sides  of  the  beast,  served  to  announce  the 
particular  notice  the  rider  had  received  from  the 
Americans.  The  truth  was  soon  extorted  from 
the  honest  soldier.  The  love  of  life  had  returned 
with  the  sight  of  the  abandoned  charger.  He  ac 
knowledged  it  had  cost  him  his  watch  to  have  the 
beast  caught ;  but  once  established  in  the  saddle, 
no  danger,  nor  any  remonstrances,  could  induce 
him  to  relinquish  a  seat  which  he  found  so  con 
soling  after  all  the  fatigue  and  motion  of  that  evil 
day,  in  which  he  had  been  compelled  to  share  in 
the  calamities  of  those  who  fought  on  the  side  of 
the  crown,  in  the  memorable  battle  of  Lexington* 


CHAPTER  XI. 

"  FLud. — Is  it  not  lawful,  an'  please  your  majesty, 
"  To  tell  how  many  is  killed." 

King  Henry  V. 

WHILE  a  strong  party  of  the  royal  troops 
took  post  on  the  height  which  commanded  the 
approach  to  their  position,  the  remainder  pene 
trated  deeper  into  the  peninsula,  or  were  trans 
ported  by  the  boats  of  the  fleet  to  the  town  of 
Boston.  Lionel  and  Polwartfi  passed  the  strait 
with  the  first  division  of  the  wounded,  the  former 
having  no  duty  to  detain  him  any  longer  with 
the  detachment,  and  the  latter  stoutly  main 
taining  that  his  corporeal  sufferings  gave  him 
an  undoubted  claim  to  include  bis  case  among 
the  casualties  of  the  day.  Perhaps  no  officer 
in  the  army  of  the  king  felt  less  chagrin  at  the 
result  of  this  inroad  than  Major  Lincoln ;  for 
notwithstanding  his  attachment  to  his  Prince, 
and  adopted  country,  he  was  keenly  sensitive  on 
the  subject  of  the  reputation  of  his  real  country 
men;  asentiment  that  is  honourable  to  our  nature, 
and  which  never  deserts  any  that  do  not  become 
disloyal  to  its  purest  and  noblest  impulses.  Even 
while  he  regretted  the  price  at  which  his  com 
rades  had  been  taught  to  appreciate  the  charac 
ters  of  those  whose  long  and  mild  forbearance 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  167 

had  been  misconstrued  into  pusillanimity,  he  re 
joiced  that  the  eyes  of  the  more  aged  would 
now  be  opened  to  the  truth,  and  that  the  mouths 
of  the  young  and  thoughtless  were  to  be  for  ever 
closed  in  shame.  Although  the  actual  losses  of  the 
two  detachments  were  probably  concealed  from 
motives  of  policy,  it  was  early  acknowledged  to 
amount  to  about  one-sixth  of  the  whole  number 
employed. 

On  the  wharf,  Lionel  and  Polwarth  separated ; 
the  latter  agreeing  to  repair  speedily  to  the  pri 
vate  quarters  of  his  friend,  where  he  promised 
himself  a  solace  for  the  compulsory  abstinence 
and  privations  of  his  long  march,  and  the  for 
mer  taking  his  way  towards  Tremont-street,  with 
a  view  to  allay  the  uneasiness  which  the  secret  and 
flattering  whisperings  of  hope  taught  him  to  believe 
his  fair  young  kinswomen  would  feel  in  his  behalf. 
At  every  corner  he  encountered  groups  of  earnest 
townsmen,  listening  with  greedy  ears  to  the  par 
ticulars  of  the  contest,  a  few  walking  away  de 
jected  at  the  spirit  exhibited  by  that  country  they 
had  villified  to  its  oppressors,  but  most  of  them 
regarding  the  passing  form  of  one  whose  disor 
dered  dress  announced  his  participation  in  the 
affair,  with  glances  of  stern  satisfaction.  As  Lio 
nel  tapped  at  the  door  of  Mrs.  Lechmere,  he  for 
got  his  fatigue  ;  and  when  it  opened,  and  he  be~ 
held  Cecil  standing  in  the  hall,  with  every  linea 
ment  of  her  fine  countenance  expressing  the 
power  of  her  emotions,  he  no  longer  remembered 
those  trying  dangers  he  had  so  lately  escaped. 

"  Lionel !"  exclaimed  the  young  lady,  clasping 
her  hands  with  joy — "  himself,  and  unhurt !"  The 
blood  rushed  from  her  heart  across  her  face  to 
her  forehead,  and  burying  her  shame  in  her  hands, 
she  burst  into  a  flood  of  tears,  and  fled  his  pre 
sence. 


168  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

Agnes  Danforth  received  him  with  undisguised 
pleasure,  nor  would  she  indulge  in  a  single  question 
to  appease  her  burning  curiosity,  until  thorough 
ly  assured  of  his  perfect  safety.  Then,  indeed, 
she  remarked,  with  a  smile  of  triumph  seated  on 
her  arch  features — 

"  Your  march  has  been  well  attended,  Major 
Lincoln ;  from  the  upper  windows  I  have  seen 
some  of  the  honours  which  the  good  people  of 
the  Massachusetts  have  paid  to  their  visiters." 

"  On  my  soul,  if  it  were  not  for  the  dreadful 
consequences  which  must  follow,  I  rejoice  as 
well  as  yourself,  in  the  events  of  the  day,"  said 
Lincoln  ;  "  for  a  people  are  never  certain  of  their 
rights,  until  they  are  respected." 

"  Tell  me  then  all,  cousin  Lincoln,  that  I  may 
know  how  to  boast  of  my  parentage." 

The  young  man  gave  her  a  short,  but  distinct 
and  impartial  account  of  all  that  had  occurred, 
to  vhich  his  fair  listener  attended  with  undis 
guised  interest. 

"  Now,  then,"  she  exclaimed,  as  he  ended,  "there 
is  an  end  for  ever  of  those  biting  taunts  that  have 
so  long  insulted  our  ears !  But  you  know,"  she 
added,  with  a  slight  blush,  and  a  smile  most  co 
mically  arch,  "  I  had  a  double  stake  in  the  for 
tunes  of  the  day — my  country  and  my  true  love  !" 

*l  Oh!  be  at  ease ;  your  worshipper  has  return 
ed,  whole  in  body,  and  suffering  in  mind  only 
through  your  cruelty — he  performed  the  route 
with  wonderful  address,  and  really  showed  him 
self  a  soldier  in  danger." 

"  Nay,  Major  Lincoln,"  returned  Agnes,  still 
blushing,  though  she  laughed,  "  you  do  not  mean 
to  insinuate  that  Peter  Polwarth  has  walked  forty 
miles  between  the  rising  and  setting  of  the  sun." 

"  Between  two  sun-sets  he  has  done  the  deed,,, 
if  you  except  a  trifling  promenade  a  cheval,  on 
my  own  steed,  whom  Jonathan  compelled  me  to 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  169 

Abandon,  and  of  whom  he  took,  and  maintained 
the  possession,  too,  in  spite  of  dangers  of  every 
kind." 

"  Really,"  exclaimed  the  wilful  girl,  clasping 
her  hands  in  affected  astonishment,  though  Lio 
nel  thought  he  could  read  inward  satisfaction  at 
his  intelligence — "  the  prodigies  of  the  man  ex 
ceed  belief!  one  wants  the  faith  of  father  Abra 
ham  to  credit  such  marvels  !  though,  after  the  re 
pulse  of  two  thousand  British  soldiers  by  a  body 
of  husbandmen,  I  am  prepared  for  an  exceeding 
use  of  my  credulity." 

"  The  moment  is  then  auspicious  for  my  friend," 
whispered  Lionel,  rising  to  follow  the  flitting 
form  of  Cecil  Dynevor,  which  he  saw  gliding 
into  the  opposite  room,  as  Polwarth  himself  en 
tered  the  apartment — "  credulity  is  said  to  be  the 
great  weakness  of  your  sex,  and  I  must  leave  you 
a  moment  exposed  to  the  failing,  and  that,  too, 
in  the  dangerous  company  of  the  subject  qjf  our 
discourse." 

"Now  would  you  give  half  your  hopes  of  pro 
motion,  and  all  your  hopes  of  a  war,  captain  Pol 
warth,  to  know  in  what  manner  your  character 
Jias  been  treated  in  your  absence,"  cried  Agnes, 
blushing  slightly.  "  I  shall  not,  however,  satisfy 
the  cravings  of  your  curiosity,  but  let  it  serve 
as  a  stimulant  to  better  deeds  than  have  employ 
ed  you  since  we  met  last." 

"  I  trust  Lincoln  has  done  justice  to  my  ser 
vice,"  returned  the  good-humoured  captain,  "and 
that  he  has  not  neglected  to  mention  the  man 
ner  in  which  I  rescued  his  steed  from  the  rebels." 
"  The  what,  sir,"  interrupted  Agnes,  with  a 
frown — "  how  did  you  style  the  good  people  of 
Massachusetts-Bay  ?"• 

"  I  should  have  said  the  excited  dwellers  in  the 
land,  I  believe.  Ah!  Miss  Agnes,  I  have  suffer- 

VOL.    I.  16 


170  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

ed  this  day  as  man  never  suffered  before,  and  all 
on  your  behalf — " 

"  On  my  behalf!  your  words  require  explana 
tion,  captain  Polwarth." 

"  'Tis  impossible,"  returned  the  captain — 
"  there  are  feelings  and  actions  connected  with 
the  heart  that  will  admit  of  no  explanation.  All 
I  know  is,  that  I  have  suffered  unutterably  on 
your  account,  to-day  ;  and  what  is  unutterable  is 
in  a  great  degree  inexplicable." 

"  I  shall  set  this  down  for  what  I  understand 
occurs  regularly  in  a  certain  description  of  tete-a- 
tetes — the  expression  of  an  unutterable  thing ! 
Surely,  Major  Lincoln  had  some  reason  to  be 
lieve  he  left  me  at  the  mercy  of  my  credulity!" 

"  You  slander  your  own  character,  fair  Agnes," 
said  Polwarth,  endeavouring  to  look  piteously ; 
"you  are  neither  merciful  nor  credulous,  or  you 
would  long  since  have  believed  my  tale,  and 
taken  pity  on  my  misery." 

"  Is  not  sympathy  a  sort — a  kind — in  short, 
is  not  sympathy  a  dreadful  symptom  in  a  certain 
disease  ?"  asked  Agnes,  resting  her  eyes  on  the 
floor,  and  affecting  a  girlish  embarrassment. 

"  Who  can  gainsay  it !"  cried  the  captain ; 
"  'tis  the  infallible  way  for  a  young  lady  to  disco 
ver  the  bent  of  her  inclinations.  Thousands  have 
lived  in  ignorance  of  their  own  affections  until 
their  sympathies  have  been  awakened.  But  what 
means  the  question,  my  fair  tormentor  ?  May  I 
dare  to  flatter  myself  that  you  at  length  feel 
for  my  pains !" 

"  I  am  sadly  afraid  'tis  but  too  true,  Polwarth," 
returned  Agnes,  shaking  her  head,  and  continuing 
to  look  exceedingly  grave. 

Polwarth  moved,  with  something  like  anima 
tion  again,  nigher  to  the  amused  girl ;  and  at 
tempted  to  take  her  hand,  as  he  said — 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  171 

"  You  restore  me  to  life  with  your  sweet  ac 
knowledgments — I  have  lived  for  six  months  like 
a  dog  under  your  frowns,  but  one  kind  word  acts 
like  a  healing  balm,  and  restores  me  to  myself 
again  !" 

"  Then  my  sympathy  is  evaporated  !"  returned 
Agnes.  "  Throughout  this  long  and  anxious 
day  have  I  fancied  myself  older  than  my  good, 
staid,  great-aunt ;  and  whenever  certain  thoughts 
have  crossed  my  mind,  t  have  even  imagined  a 
thousand  of  the  ailings  of  age  had  encircled  me — 
rheumatisms,  gouts,  asthmas,  and  numberless 
other  aches  and  pains, exceedingly  unbecoming  to 
a  young  lady  of  nineteen.  But  you  have  enlight 
ened  me,  arid  given  vast  relief  to  my  apprehen 
sions,  by  explaining  it  to  be  no  more  than  sympa 
thy.  You  see,  Polwarth,  what  a  wife  you  will 
obtain,  should  I  ever,  in  a  weak  moment,  accept 
you,  for  i  have  already  sustained  one-half  your 
burthens !" 

"  A  man  is  not  made  to  be  in  constant  motion, 
like  the  pendulum  of  that  clock,  Miss  Danforth, 
and  yet  feel  no  fatigue,"  said  Polwarth,  more 
vexed  than  he  would  permit  himself  to  betray; 
"  yet  I  flatter  myself  there  is  no  officer  in  the 
light-infantry — you  understand  me  to  say  the 
light-infantry — who  has  passed  over  more  ground 
within  four-and-twenty  hours,  than  the  man  who 
hastens,  notwithstanding  his  exploits,  to  throw 
himself  at  your  feet,  even  before  he  thinks  of  his 
ordinary  rest." 

"Captain  Polwarth,"  said  Agnes,  rising,  "for 
the  compliment,  if  compliment  it  be,  I  thank  you; 
but,"  she  added,  losing  her  affected  gravity  in  a 
strong  natural  feeling  that  shone  in  her  dark  eye, 
and  illuminated  the  whole  of  her  fine  countenance, 
as  she  laid  her  hand  impressively  on  her  heart — 
"  the  man  who  will  supplant  the  feelings  which 


172  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

nature  has  impressed  here,  must  not  come  to 
my  feet,  as  you  call  it,  from  a  field  of  battle, 
where  he  has  been  contending  with  my  kinsmen, 
and  helping  to  enslave  rny  country.  You  will 
excuse  me,  sir,  but  as  Major  Lincoln  is  at  home 
here,  permit  me,  for  a  few  minutes,  to  leave  you 
to  his  hospitality." 

She  withdrew  as  Lionel  re-entered,  passing 
him  on  the  threshold. 

"I  would  rather  be  a  leader  in  a  stage-coach, 
or  a  running  footman,  than  in  love !"  cried  Pol- 
warth — "  'tis  a  dog's  life,  Leo,  and  this  girl  treat? 
me  like  a  cart-horse  !  But  what  an  eye  she  has ! 
I  could  have  lighted  my  segar  by  it — my  heart  is 
a  heap  of  cinders.  Why,  Leo,  what  aileth  thee  ! 
throughout  the  whole  of  this  damnable  day,  I 
have  not  before  seen  thee  bear  such  a  troubled 
look  !" 

"  Let  us  withdraw  to  my  private  quarters/' 
muttered  the  young  man,  whose  aspect  and  air  ex 
pressed  the  marks  of  extreme  disturbance — "  'tis 
time  to  repair  the  disasters  of  our  march." 

"  All  that  has  been  already  looked  to,"  said 
Polwarth,  rising  and  limping,  with  sundry  gri 
maces,  in  the  best  manner  he  was  able,  in  a  vain 
effort  to  equal  the  rapid  strides  of  his  companion. 
"  My  first  business  on  leaving  you  was  to  borrow 
a  conveyance  of  a  friend,  in  which  1  rode  to  your 
place;  and  my  next  was  to  write  to  little  Jimmy 
Craig,  to  offer  an  exchange  of  my  company  for 
his — for  from  this  hour  henceforth  I  denounce  all 
light-infantry  movements,  and  shall  take  the  first 
opportunity  to  get  back  again  into  the  dragoons, 
as  soon  as  I  have  effected  which,  major  Lincoln, 
I  propose  to  treat  with  you  for  the  purchase  of 
that  horse — after  that  duty  was  performed,  for,  it 
self-preservation  be  commendable,  it  became  a 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  173 

iiuty,  I  made  out  a  bill  of  fare  for  Meriton,  in 
order  that  nothing  might  be  forgotten ;  after 
which,  like  yourself  Lionel,  I  hastened  to  the 
feet  of  my  mistress — Ah!  Major  Lincoln,  you  are 
a  happy  man  ;  for  you,  there  is  no  reception  but 
smiles — and  charms  so" — 

"  Talk  not  to  me  sir,  of  smiles,"  interrupted 
Lionel,  impatiently,  "  nor  of  the  charms  of  wo 
man.  They  are  all  alike,  capricious  and  unac 
countable." 

"  Bless  me !"  exclaimed  Polwarth,  staring 
about  him  in  wonder ;  "  there  is  then  favour  for 
none,  in  this  place,  who  battle  for  th'e  King! 
There  is  a  strange  connexion  between  Cupid  and 
Mars,  love  and  war  ;  for  here  did  I,  after  fighting 
all  day  like  a  Saracen,  a  Turk,  JenghisKhan,  or,  in 
short,  any  thing  but  a  good  Christian,  come  with 
full  intent  to  make  a  serious  offer  of  my  hand, 
commission,  and  of  Pol \varth-Hall,  to  that  trea 
sonable  vixen,  when  she  repulses  me  with  a  frown 
and  a  sarcasm  as  biting  as  the  salutation  of  a  hun 
gry  man.  But  what  an  eye  the  girl  has,  and 
what  a  bloom,  when  she  is  a  little  more  seasoned 
than  common  !  Then  you,  too,  Lionel,  have  been 
treated  like  a  dog  !" 

"  Like  a  fool,  as  t  am,"  said  Lionel,  pacing 
haughtily  over  the  ground  at  a  rate  that  soon 
threw  his  companion  too  far  in  the  rear  to  ad 
mit  of  further  discourse  until  they  reached  the 
place  of  their  destination.  Here,  to  the  no  small 
surprise  of  both  gentlemen,  they  found  a  com 
pany  collected  that  neither  was  prepared  to 
meet.  At  a  side-table,  sat  M'Fuse,  discussing, 
with  singular  relish,  some  of  the  cold  viands 
of  the  previous  night's  repast,  and  washing 
down  his  morsels  with  deep  potations  of  the  best 
wine  of  his  host.  In  one  corner  of  the  room, 
Seth  Sage  was  posted,  with  the  appearance  of 

16* 


174  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

man  in  duresse,  his  hands  being  tied  before  him, 
rom  which  depended  a  long  cord  that  might, 
on  emergency,  be  made  to  serve  the  purpose  of  a 
halter.  Opposite  to  the  prisoner,  for  such  in  truth 
he  was,  stood  Job,  imitating  the  example  of  the 
Captain  of  Grenadiers,  who  now  and  then  tossed 
some  fragment  of  his  meal  into  the  hat  of  the 
simpleton.  Meriton  and  several  of  th'e  menials 
of  the  establishment  were  in  waiting. 

"  What  have  we  here  !"  cried  Lionel,  regarding 
the  scene  with  a  curious  eye; "  of  what  offence  has 
Mr.  Sage  been  guilty,  that  he  bears  those  bonds  f"' 

"  Of  the  small  crimes  of  tr'ason  and  homi 
cide,"  returned  M'Fuse,  "  if  shooting  at  a  man. 
with  a  hearty  mind  to  kill  him,  can  make  a 
murder." 

"It  can't,"  said  Seth,  raising  his  eyes  from  the 
floor,  where  he  had  hitherto  kept  them  in  de 
mure  silence  ;  "  a  man  must  kill  with  wicked  in 
tent  to  commit  murder" — 

"  Hear  to  the  blackguard,  datailing  the  law  as 
if  he  were  my  Lord  Chief  Justice  of  the  King's 
Bench  !"  interrupted  the  grenadier  ;  "  and  what 
was  your  own  wicked  intention,  ye  skulking  va 
gabond,  but  to  kill  me !  I'll  have  you  tried  and 
hung  for  the  same  act." 

"  It's  ag'in  reason  to  believe  that  any  jury  will 
convict  one  man  for  the  murder  of  another  that 
a'nt  dead,"  said  Seth — "  there's  no  jury  to  be 
found  in  the  Bay-colony,  to  do  it." 

"  Bay-colony !  ye  murdering  thief  and  rebel !" 
cried  the  Captain  ;  "  I'll  have  ye  transported  to 
England  ;  ye  shall  be  both  transported  and  hung. 
By  the  Lord,  I'll  carry  ye  back  to  Ireland  with 
me,  and  I'll  hang  ye  up  in  the  green  Island  itself, 
and  bury  ye,  in  the  heart  of  winter,  in  a  bog" — 

"  mit  what  is  the  offence,"  demanded  Lionel. 
(i  that  calls  forth  these  severe  threats  ?" 


LIONEL   LINCOLN".  175 

"  The  scoundrel  has  been  out" — 

"  Out !" 

"  Ay,  out — damn  it,  sir,  has  not  the 
whole  country  been  like  so  many  bees  in  search 
of  a  hive !  Is  your  memory  so  short  that  ye 
forget,  already,  Major  Lincoln,  the  tramp  the 
blackguards  have  given  you  over  hill  and  dale, 
through  thick  and  thin  ?" 

"  And  was  Mr.  Sage,  then,  found  among  our 
enemies  to-day?" — 

"  Didn't  I  see  him  pull  trigger  on  my  own 
stature,  three  times  within  as  many  minutes !" 
returned  the  angry  captain  ;  "and  didn't  he  break 
the  handle  of  my  sword  ?«and  have  not  I  a  bit  of 
lead  he  calls  a  buck-shot  in  my  shoulder  as  a  pre 
sent  from  the  thief?" 

"  It's  ag'in  all  law  to  call  a  man  a  thief,"  said 
Job,  "  unless  you  can  prove  it  upon  him  ;  but  it 
an't  ag'in  law  to  go  in  and  out  of  Boston  as  often 
as  you  choose." 

"  Do  you  hear  the  rascals  !  They  know  every 
angle  of  the  law  as  well,  or  better  than  I  do  my 
self,  who  am  the  son  of  a  Cork  counsellor.  I 
dare  to  say,  you  were  among  them  too,  and 
that  ye  deserve  the  gallows  as  well  as  your  com 
mendable  companion,  there." 

"How  is  this!"  said  Lionel,  turning  quickly 
away  from  Job,  with  a  view  to  prevent  a  reply 
that  might  endanger  the  safety  of  the  changeling  j 
"  did  you  not  only  mingle  in  this  rebellion,  Mr. 
Sage,  but  also  attempt  the  life  of  a  gentleman 
who  may  be  said,  almost,  to  be  an  inmate  of 
your  own  house  ?"  • 

"I  conclude,"  returned  Seth,  "it's  best  not 
to  talk  too  much,  seeing  that  no  one  can  foretell 
what  may  happen." 

"  Hear  to  the  cunning  reprobate  !  he  has  nol 
the  grace  to  acknowledge  his  own  sins,  like  an 
honest  man,"  interrupted  M'Fuse  ;  "  but  I  can 


176  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

save  him  that  small  trouble — I  got  tired,  you 
must  know.  Major  Lincoln,  of  being  shot  at  like 
noxious  vermin,  from  morning  till  night,  without 
making  some  return  to  the  compliments  of  those 
gentlemen  who  are  out  on  the  hills  ;  and  I  took 
advantage  of  a  turn,  ye  see,  to  double  on  a  party 
of  the  uncivilized  demons ;  this  lad,  here,  got 
three  good  pulls  at  me,  before  we  closed  and 
made  an  end  of  them  with  the  steel,  all  but  this 
fellow,  who  having  a  becoming  look  for  a  gal 
lows,  I  brought  him  in,  as  you  see,  for  an  ex 
change,  intending  to  hang  him  the  first  favoura 
ble  opportunity." 

"  If  this  be  true  we  -must  give  him  into  the 
hands  of  the  proper  authorities,"  said  Lionel, 
smiling  at  the  confused  account  of  the  angry  cap 
tain — "  for  it  remains  to  be  *een-yet  what  course 
will  be  adopted  with  the  prisoners  in  this  singular 
contest." 

"  I  should  think  nothing  of  the  matter,"  re 
turned  M'Fuse,  "  if  the  reprobate  had  not  tr'ated 
me  like  a  beast  of  the  field,  uith  his  buck-shot, 
and  taking  his  aim  each  time,  as  though  I  had 
been  a  mad-dog.  Ye  villain,  do  you  call  your 
self  a  man,  and  aim  at  a  fellow-creature  as 
you  would  at  a  brute  f" 

"  Why,"  said  Seth,  sullenly,  "  when  a  man  has 
pretty  much  made  up  his  mind  to  fight,  I  con 
clude  it's  best  to  take  aim,  in  order  to  save  ammu 
nition  and  time." 

"  You  acknowledge  the  charge,  then !"  de 
manded  Lionel. 

"  As  the  major  is  a  moderate  man,  and  will 
hear  to  reason,  I  will  talk  the  matter  over  with 
him  rationally,"  said  Seth,  disposing  himself  to 
speak  more  to  the  purpose.  "  You  see  I  had  a 
call  to  Concurd  early  this  morning" — 

"  Concord  !"  exclaimed  Lionel — 

"  Yes,  Concurd,"  returned  Seth,  laying  great 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  177 

stress  on  the  first  syllable,  and  speaking  with  an 
air  of  extreme  innocence — "  it  lies  here-away, 
say  twenty  or  one-and-tvventy  miles" — 

"  Damn  your  Concords  and  your  miles  too," 
cried  Polwarth ;  "  is  there  a  man  in  the  army 
who  can  forget  the  deceitful  place !  Go  on  with 
your  defence,  without  talking  to  us  of  the  distance, 
who  have  measured  the  road  by  inches." 

"  The  captain  is  hasty  and  rash  !"  said  the  de 
liberate  prisoner — "  but  being  there,  I  went  out 
of  the  town  with  some  company  that  I  happened 
in  with  ;  and  after  a  time  we  concluded  to  return — 
and  so,  as  we  came  to  a  bridge  about  a  mile  be 
yond  the  place,  we  received  considerable  rough 
treatment  from  some  of  the  king's  troops,  who 
were  standing  there — " 

"What  did  they?" 

"  They  fired  at  us,  and  killed  two  of  our  com 
pany,  besides  other  threatening  doings.  There 
were  some  among  us  that  took  the  matter  up  in 
considerable  earnest,  and  there  was  a  sharp  toss 
about  it  for  a  few  minutes ;  though  finally  the  law 
prevailed." 

"  The  law  !" 

"  Certain — 'tis  ag'in  all  law,  I  believe  the  major 
will  own,  to  shoot  peaceable  men  on  the  public 
highway  !" 

"  Proceed  with  your  tale  in  your  own  way." 

"  That  is  pretty  much  the  whole  of  it,"  said 
Seth,  warily.  "  The  people  rather  took  that, 
and  some  other  things  that  happened  at  Lexing 
ton,  to  heart,  and  I  suppose  the  major  knows  the 
rest." 

"  But  what  has  all  this  to  do  with  your  at 
tempt  to  murder  me,  you  hypocrite?"  demanded 
M'Fuse — "  confess  the  whole,  ye  thief,  that  I 
may  hang  you  with  an  aisy  conscience." 

"  Enough,"  said  Lionel;  "  the  man  has  acknow 
ledged  sufficient  already  to  justify  us  in  transfer- 


178  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

ring  him  to  the  custody  of  others — let  him  be 
taken  to  the  main  guard,  and  delivered  as  a  pri 
soner  of  this  day." 

"  I  hope  the  major  will  look  to  the  things,"  said 
Seth,  who  instantly  prepared  to  depart,  but  stop 
ped  on  the  threshold  to  speak — "  I  shall  hold 
him  accountable  for  all." 

"  Your  property  shall  be  protected,  and  I  hope 
your  life  may  not  be  in  jeopardy,"  returned  Lio 
nel,  waving  his  hand  for  those  who  guarded  him 
to  proceed.  Seth  turned,  and  left  his  own  dwell 
ing  with  the  same  quiet  air  which  had  distinguish 
ed  him  throughout  the  day ;  though  there  were 
occasional  flashes  from  his  quick,  dark  eyes, 
that  looked  like  the  glimmerings  of  a  fading 
fire.  Notwithstanding  the  threatening  denunci 
ation  he*  had  encountered,  he  left  the  house 
with  a  perfect  conviction,  that  if  his  case  were 
to  be  tried  by  those  principles  of  justice  which 
every  man  in  the  Colony  so  well  understood,  it 
would  be  found  that  both  he  and  his  fellows  had 
kept  thoroughly  on  the  windy  side  of  the  law. 

During  this  singular  and  characteristic  dis 
course,  Polwarth,  with  the  solitary  exception  we 
have  recorded,  had  employed  his  time  in  for 
warding  the  preparations  for  the  banquet. 

As  Seth  and  his  train  disappeared,  Lionel 
cast  a  furtive  look  at  Job,  who  was  a  quiet 
and  apparently  an  undisturbed  spectator  of  the 
scene,  and  then  turned  his  attention  suddenly 
to  his  guests,  as  if  fearful  the  folly  of  the  change 
ling  might  betray  his  agency  also  in  the  deeds 
of  the  day.  The  simplicity  of  the  lad,  however, 
defeated  the  kind  intentions  of  the  major,  for  he 
immediately  observed,  without  the  least  indica 
tion  of  fear — 

"The  king  can't  hang  Seth  Sage  for  firing 
back,  when  the  rake-helly  soldiers  began  first.5' 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  179 

"  Perhaps  you  were  out  too,  master  Solomon," 
cried  M'Fuse,  "  amusing  yourself  at  Concord, 
with  a  small  party  of  select  friends !" 

"  Job  didn't  go  any  further  than  Lexington," 
returned  the  lad,  "  and  he  hasn't  got  any  friend, 
except  old  Nab." 

"  The  devil  has  possessed  the  minds  of  the 
people  !"  continued  the  grenadier — "  lawyers  and 
doctors — praists  and  sinners — old  and  young — 
big-  and  little,  beset  us  ir  our  march,  and  here  is 
a  fool  to  be  added  to  the  number !  I  dare  say 
that  fellow,  now,  has  attempted  murder  in  his 
day  too." 

"Job  scorns  such  wickedness,"  returned  the 
unmoved  simpleton ;  "  he  only  shot  one  gran 
ny,  and  hit  an  officer  in  the  arm." 

"  D'ye  hear  that,  Major  Lincoln !"  cried 
M'Fuse,  jumping  from  the  seat,  which,  notwith 
standing  the  bitterness  of  his  language,  he  had 
hitherto  perseveringly  maintained  ;  "  d'ye  hear 
that  shell  of  a  man,  that  effigy,  boasting  of  hav 
ing  killed  a  grenadier !" 

"  Hold" — interrupted  Lionel,  arresting  his  ex 
cited  companion  by  the  arm — "  remember,  we 
are  soldiers,  and  that  the  boy  is  not  a  responsible 
being.  No  tribunal  would  ever  sentence  such  an 
unfortunate  creature  to  a  gibbet ;  and  in  general 
he  is  as  harmless  as  a  babe — " 

"  The  devil  burn  such  babes — a  pretty  fellow 
is  he  to  kill  a  man  of  six  feet !  and  with  a  ducking 
gun  I'll  engage.  I'll  not  bang  the  rascal,  Major 
Lincoln,  since  it  is  your  particular  wish — I'll  only 
have  him  buried  alive." 

Job  continued  perfectly  unmoved  in  his  chair, 
and  the  captain,  ashamed  of  his  resentment 
against  such  unconscious  imbecility,  was  soon 
persuaded  to  abandon  his  intentions  of  revenge, 
though  he  continued  muttering  his  threats  against 
the  provincials,  and  his  denunciations  against 


180  LIONEL   LINCOLN'. 

such  "  an  unmanly  spacies  of  warfare,"  until  the 
much-needed  repast  was  ended. 

Polwarth  having  restored  the  equilibrium  of 
his  system  by  a  hearty  meal,  hobbled  to  his 
bed,  -and  M'Fuse,  without  any  ceremony,  look 
possession  of  another  of  the  apartments  in  the 
tenement  of  Mr.  Sage.  The  servants  withdrew 
to  their  own  entertainment,  and  Lionel,  who  had 
been  sitting  for  the  last  half  hour  in  melancholy 
silence,  now  unexpectedly  found  himself  alone 
with  the  changeling.  Job  had  waited  for  this 
moment  with  exceeding  patience,  but  when  the 
door  closed  on  Meriton,  who  was  the  last  to 
retire,  he  made  a  movement  that  indicated  some 
communication  of  more  than  usual  importance, 
and  succeeded  in  attracting  the  attention  of  his 
companion. 

"  Foolish  boy !"  exclaimed  Lionel,  as  he  met 
the  unmeaning  eye  of  the  other,  "  did  I  not  warn 
you  that  wicked  men  might  endanger  your  life  ! 
how  was  it  that  I  saw  you  in  arms  to-day,  against 
the  troops?" 

"  How  carne  the  troops  in  arms  ag'in  Jobr:' 
returned  the  changelint — "  they  needn't  think  to 
wheel  about  the  Bay-Province,  clashing  their 
godless  drums  and  trumpet^,  burning  housen,  and 
shooting  people,  and  find  no  stir  about  it !" 

"  Do  you  know  that  your  life  has  been  twice 
forfeited  within  twelve  hours,  by  your  own  con 
fession  ;  once  for  murder,  and  again  for  treason 
against  your  king  ?  You  have  acknowledged  kill 
ing  a  man !" 

"  Yes,"  said  the  lad,  with  undisturbed  simplici 
ty,  "  Job  shot  the  granny ;  but  he  didn't  let  the 
people  kill  Major  Lincoln." 

"  True,  true,"  said  Lionel,  hastily — "  I  owe  my 
life  to  you,  and  that  debt  shall  be  cancelled  at 
every  hazard.  But  why  have  you  put  yourself 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  181 

into  the  hands  of  your  enemies  so  thoughtlessly— 
what  brings  you  here  to-night  r"' 

"  Ralph  told  me  to  come ;  and  if  Ralph  told 
Job  to  go  into  the  king's  parlour,  he  would  go." 

"  Ralph  !"  exclaimed  Lionel,  stopping  in  his 
hurried  walk  across  the  room,  and  where  is  he  ?" 

"  In  the  old  ware-'us',  and  he  has  sent  me  to 
tell  you  to  come  to  him — and  what  Ralph  says 
must  be  done." 

"  He  here  too  !  is  the  ruan  crazed — would  not 
his  fears  teach  him — " 

"  Fears !"  interrupted  Job,  with  singular  dis 
dain — "  you  can't  frighten  Ralph  !  The  gran 
nies  couldn't  frighten  ,him,  nor  the  light-infantry 
couldn't  hit  him,  though  he  eat  nothing  but 
their  smoke  the  whole  day — Ralph's  a  proper 
warrior!" 

"  And  he  waits  me,  you  say,  in  the  tenement 
of  your  mother  ?" 

"  Job  don't  know  what  tenement  means,  but 
he's  in  the  old  ware-'us'." 

"  Come,  then,"  said  Lionel,  taking  his  hat, 
"  let  us  go  to  him — I  must  save  him  from  the 
effects  of  his  own  rashness,  though  it  cost  my 
commission  !" 

He  left  the  room  while  speaking,  and  the  sim 
pleton  followed  close  at  his  heels,  well  content 
with  having  executed  his  mission  without  en 
countering  any  greater  difficulties. 


VOL. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

•'-•  This  play  is  the  image  of  a  murder  done  i»  Vienna  . 
"  Gonzago  is  the  Duke's  name  ;  his  wife,  Bapiista  : 
"  You  shall  see,  anon ;  'tis  a  kwAvish  piece  of  work.'1 

Hamlet, 

THE  agitation  and  deep  excitement  produced 
by  the  events  of  the  day,  had  not  yet  subsided 
in  the  town,  when  Lionel  found  himself  again 
in  its  narrow  streets.  Men  passed  swiftly  by  him, 
as  if  bent  on  some  unusual  and  earnest  business; 
and  more  than  once  the  young  soldier  detected 
the  triumphant  smiles  of  the  women,  as  the\ 
looked  curiously  out  on  the  scene,  from  their  half- 
open  windows,  and  their  eyes  detected  the  pro 
fessional  trappings  of  his  dress.  Strong  bodies  of 
the  troops"  were  marching  in  different  directions, 
and  in  a  manner  which  denoted  that  the  guards 
were  strengthening,  while  the  few  solitary  officers 
he  met  watched  his  approaching  figure  with 
cautious  jealousy,  as  if  they  apprehended  a  dan 
gerous  enemy  in  every  form  they  encountered. 

The  gates  of  Province-house  were  open,  and, 
as  usual,  guarded  by  armed  men.  As  Lionel 
passed  leisurely  along,  he  perceived  that  the  gre 
nadier  to  whom  he  had  spoken  OH  the  preceding 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  183 

e'vening,  again  held  his  watch  before  the  portal 
of  the  governor. 

"  Your  experience  did  not  deceive  you,  my 
old  comrade,"  said  Lionel,  lingering  a  moment 
to  address  him — "  we  have  had  a  warm  day." 

"  So  it  is  reported  in  the  barracks,  you* 
honour,"  returned  the  soldier — "  our  company 
was  not  ordered  out,  and  we  are  to  stand  douWe 
duty.  I  hope  to  God  the  next  time  there  is 

any  thing  to  do,  the  grenadiers  of  the th  may 

not  be  left  behind — it  would  have  been  for  the 
credit  of  the  army  had  they  been  in  the  field 
to-day." 

"  Why  do  you  think  so,  my  veteran  ?  The 
men  who  were  out  are  thought  to  have  behaved 
well ;  but  it  was  impossible  to  make  head  against 
a  multitude  in  arms." 

"  It  is  not  my  place,  your  honour,  to  say  this 
man  did  well,  and  that  man  behaved  amiss,"  re 
turned  the  proud  old  soldier  ;  "  but  when  I  hear 
of  two  thousand  British  troops  turning  their  backs, 
or  quickening  their  march  before  all  the  rabble 
this  country  can  muster,  I  want  the  flank  compa 
nies  of  the th  to  be  at  hand,  if  it  should  be 

only  that  I  may  say  I  have  witnessed  the  disgrace 
ful  sight  with  my  own  eyes." 

"There  is  no  disgrace  where  there  is  no  mis 
conduct,"  said  Lionel. 

"There  must  have  been  misconduct  some 
where,  your  honour,  or  such  a  thing  could  not 
have  happened — consider,  your  honour,  the  very 
flower  of  the  army  !  Something  must  have  been 
wrong,  and  although  I  could  see  the  latter  part  of 
the  business  from  the  hills,  I  can  hardly  believe  it 
to  be  true."  As  he  concluded,  he  shook  his  head, 
and  continued  his  steady  pace  along  his  allotted 
ground,  as  if  unwilling  to  pursue  the  humiliating 
subject  any  further.  Lionel  passed  slowly  on. 


184  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

musing  on  that  deep-rooted  prejudice,  which  had 
even  taught  this  humble  menial  of  the  crown  to 
regard  with  contempt  a  whole  nation,  because 
they  were  believed  to  be  dependants. 

The  dock-square  was  stiller  than  usual,  and 
the  sounds  of  revelry,  which  it  was  usual  to  hear  at 
that  hour  from  the  adjacent  drinking-houses, 
\?ere  no  longer  audible.  The  moon  had  not  yet 
risen,  and  Lionel  passed  under  the  dark  arches  of 
the  market  with  a  quick  step,  as  he  now  remem 
bered  that  one  in  whom  he  felt  so  deep  an  interest 
awaited  his  appearance.  Job,  who  had  followed 
in  silence,  glided  by  him  on  the  drawbridge,  and 
stood  holding  the  door  of  the  old  building  in  his 
hand,  when  he  reached  its  threshold.  Lionel 
found  the  large  space  in  the  centre  of  the  ware 
house,  as  usual,  dark  and  empty,  though  the  dim 
light  of  a  candle  glimmered  through  the  fissures  in 
a  partition  which  separated  an  apartment  in  one  of 
the  little  towers  that  was  occupied  by  Abigail 
Pray,  from  the  ruder  parts  of  the  edifice.  Low 
voices  were  also  heard  issuing  from  this  room,  and 
Major  Lincoln,  supposing  he  should  find  the  old 
man  and  the  mother  of  Job  in  conference  to 
gether,  turned  to  request  the  lad  would  precede 
him,  and  announce  his  name.  But  the  change 
ling  had  also  detected  the  whispering  sounds,  and 
it  would  seem  with  a  more  cunning  ear,  for  he 
turned  and  darted  through  the  door  of  the  build 
ing  with  a  velocity  that  did  not  abate  until  Lio 
nel,  who  watched  his  movements  with  amazement, 
saw  his  shuffling  figure  disappear  among  the 
shambles  of  the  market-place.  Thus  deserted  by 
his  guide,  Lionel  groped  his  way  towards  the 
place  where  he  believed  he  should  find  the  door 
which  led  into  the  tower.  The  light  deceived 
him,  for  as  he  approached  it,  his  eye  glanced 
through  one  of  the  crevices  of  the  wall,  and  he 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  185 

again  became  an  unintentional  witness  of  an 
other  of  those  interviews  which  evinced  the  sin 
gular  and  mysterious  affinity  between  the  fortunes 
of  the  affluent  and  respected  Mrs.  Lechmere  and 
the  miserable  tenant  of  the  warehouse.  Until 
that  moment,  the  hurry  of  events,  and  the  crowd 
of  reflections  which  had  rushed  over  the  mind  of 
the  young  man  throughout  the  busy  time  of  the 
last  twenty-four  hours,  had  prevented  his  recalling 
the  hidden  meaning  of  the  singular  discourse  of 
which  he  had  already  been  an  auditor.  But  now, 
when  he  found  his  aunt  led  into  these  haunts  of 
beggary,  by  a  feeling  he  was  not  weak  enough  to 
attribute  to  her  charity,  he  stood  rooted  to  the 
spot  by  a  curiosity,  which,  at  the  same  time  that  he 
found  it  irresistible,  he  was  willing  to  excuse,  un 
der  a  strong  impression  that  these  private  com 
munications  were  in  some  way  connected  with 
himself. 

Mrs.  Lechmere  had  evidently  muffled  her  per 
son  in  a  manner  that  was  intended  to  conceal 
this  mysterious  visit  from  any  casual  observer  of 
her  movements;  but  the  hoops  of  her  large  calash 
were  now  so  far  raised  as  to  admit  a  distinct  view 
of  her  withered  features,  and  of  the  hard  eye  which 
shot  forth  its  selfish,  worldly  glances,  from  amid 
the  surrounding  decay  of  nature.  She  was  seat 
ed,  both  in  indulgence  to  her  infirmities,  and 
from  that  assumption  of  superiority  she  never  ne 
glected  in  the  presence  of  her  inferiors,  while  her 
companion  stood  before  her,  in  an  attitude  that 
partook  more  of  restraint  than  of  respect. 

"  Your  weakness,  foolish  woman,"  said  Mrs. 
Lechmere,  in  those  stern,  repulsive  tones  she  so 
well  knew  how  to  use  when  she  wished  to  intimi 
date,  "  will  yet  prove  your  ruin.  You  owe  it  to 
respect  for  yourself,  to  your  character,  and  even 
to  your  safety,  that  vou  should  exhibit  more  firm- 
17" 


186  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

ness,  and  show  yourself  above  this  weak  and 
idle  superstition." 

"  My  ruin  !  and  my  character !"  returned  Abi 
gail,  looking  about  her  with  a  haggard  eye  and  a 
trembling  lip  ;  "  what  is  ruin,  Madam  Lechmere, 
if  this  poverty  be  not  called  so!  or  what  loss  of 
character  can  bring  upon  me  more  biting  scorn 
than  I  am  now  ordained  to  suffer  for  rny  sins  !" 

"  Perhaps,"  said  Mrs.  Lechmere,  endeavouring 
to  affect  a  kinder  tone,  though  dislike  was  still  too 
evident  in  her  manner,  "in  the  hurry  of  my  grand- 
nephew's  reception,  I  have  forgotten  rny  usual 
liberality." 

The  woman  look  the  piece  of  silver  which 
Mrs.  Lechmere  slowly  placed  in  her  hand,  and 
held  it  in  her  open  palm  for  several  moments,  re 
garding  it  with  a  vacant  look,  which  the  other 
mistook  for  dissatisfaction. 

"  The  troubles,  and  the  decreasing  value  ol 
property,  have  sensibly  affected  my  income,"  con 
tinued  the  richly  clad  and  luxurious  Mrs.  Lech 
mere  ;  "  but  if  that  should  be  too  little  for  your 
immediate  wants,  I  will  add  to  it  another  crown." 

"  ''Twill  do — 'twill  do,"  said  Abigail,  clenching 
her  hand  over  the  money,  with  a  grasp  that  wa<- 
convulsive — "  yes,  yes,  'twill  do.  Oh  !  Madam 
Lechmere,  humbling  and  sinful  as  that  wicked 
passion  is,  would  to  God  that  no  motive  worse 
than  avarice  had  proved  my  ruin!" 

Lionel  thought  his  aunt  cast  an  uneasy  and 
embarrassed  glance  at  her  companion,  which  he 
construed  into  an  expression  that  betrtiyed  there 
were  secrets  even  between  these  strange  con 
fidants  ;  but  the  momentary  surprise  exhibited  in 
her  features,  soon  gave  place  to  her  habitual  look 
of  guarded  and  severe  formality;  and  she  replied, 
with  p.n  air  of  (!o:dnes«.  as  if  she  would  repulse 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  187 

any  .approach  to  an  acknowledgment  of  their 
common  transgression — 

"  The  woman  talks  like  one  who  is  beside  her 
self!  of  what  crime  has  she  been  guilt)',  but  such 
as  those  to  which  our  nature  is  liable  !" 

"  True,  true,"  said  Abigail  Pray,  with  a  half- 
stifled,  hysterical  laugh — "  'tis  our  guilty,  guilty 
nature,  as  you  say.  But  I  grow  nervous,  I  believe. 
as  1  grow  old  and  feeble,  Madam  Lechmere  ;  and 
I  often  forget  myself.  The  sight  of  the  grave  so 
very  near,  is  apt  to  bring  thoughts  of  repentance 
to  such  as  are  more  hardened  even  than  I." 

"  Foolish  girl !"  said  Mrs.  Lechmere,  endea 
vouring  to  skreen  her  pallid  features,  by  drawing 
down  her  calash,  with  a  hand  that  trembled 
more  with  terror  than  with  age,  "  why  should  you 
speak  thus  freely  of  death,  who  are  but  a  child  !" 

Lionel  heard  the  faltering,  husky  tones  of  his 
aunt,  as  they  appeared  to  die  in  her  throat,  but 
nothing  more  was  distinctly  audible,  until,  after  a 
long  pause,  she  raised  her  face,  and  looked  about 
her  again  with  her  severe,  unbending  eye,  and 
continued — 

"  Enough  of  this  folly,  Abigail  Pray — I  have 
come  to  learn  more  of  your  strange  inmate — " 

"  Oh!  'tis  not  enough,  Madam  Lechmere,"  in 
terrupted  the  conscience-stricken  woman;  "we 
have  so  little  time  left  us  for  penitence  and  prayer, 
that  there  never  can  be  enough,  I  fear,  to  an 
swer  our  mighty  transgressions.  Let  us  speak  of 
the  grave,  Madam  Lechmere,  while  we  can  yet 
do  it  on  this  side  of  eternity." 

"  Ay !  speak  of  the  grave,  while  out  of  its 
damp  cloisters;  'tis  the  home  of  the  aged,"  said 
a  third  voice,  whose  hollow  tones  might  well 
have  issued  from  some  tomb.  "  and  I  am  here 
to  join  in  the  wholesome  theme." 

"Who — who — in  the  name  of  God.  who  art 


I8S  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

thou  !"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Lechmere,  forgetting  her 
infirmities,  and  her  secret  compunctions,  in  new 
emotions,  and  rising  involuntarily  from  her  seat; 
"  tell  me,  I  conjure  thee,  who  art  thou  ?" 

"One,  aged  like  thyself,  Priscilla  Lechmere, 
and  standing  on  the  threshold  of  that  final  home 
of  which  you  would  discourse.  Speak  on,  then, 
ye  widowed  women  ;  for  if  ever  ye  have  done 
aught  that  calls  for  forgiveness,  'tis  in  the  grave  ye 
shall  find  the  heavenly  gift  of  mercy  offered  to  your 
unworthiness." 

By  changing  the  position  of  his  body  a  little, 
Lionel  was  now  enabled  to  command  a  view  of 
the  whole  apartment.  In  the  door-way  stood 
Ralph,  immovable  in  his  attitude,  with  one 
hand  raised  high  towards  heaven,  and  the  other 
pointing  impressively  downward,  as  if  about  to 
lay  bare  the  secrets  of  that  tomb  of  which  his 
wasted  limbs,  and  faded  lineaments  marked  him 
as  a  fit  tenant,  while  his  searching  eye-balls 
glared  about  him,  from  the  face  of  one  to  the 
other,  with  that  look  of  quickness  and  penetra 
tion,  that  Abigail  Pray  had  so  well  described  as 
'scorching.'  Within  a  few  feet  of  the  old  man, 
JVJrs.  Lechmere  remained  standing,  rigid  and 
motionless  as  marble,  her  calash  fallen  back, 
and  her  death-like  features  exposed,  with  hor 
ror  and  astonishment  rooted  in  every  muscle, 
as  with  open  mouth,  and  eyes  riveted  on  the 
intruder,  she  gazed  as  steadily  as  if  placed  in 
that  posture  by  the  chisel  of  the  statuary.  Abi 
gail  shaded  her  eyes  with  her  hand,  arid  buried 
her  face  in  the  folds  of  her  garments,  while 
strong  convulsive  shudderings  ran  through  her 
frame,  and  betrayed  the  extent  of  the  emotions 
she  endeavoured  to  conceal.  Amaxed  at  what 
he  had  witnessed,  and  concerned  for  the  ap 
parent  insensibility  of  his  aunt,  whose  great  age 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  189 

rendered  such  scenes  dangerous,  Lionel  was  about 
to  rush  into  the  apartment,  when  Mrs.  Lech- 
mere  so  far  recovered  her  faculties  as  to  speak, 
and  the  young  man  lost  every  consideration  in  a, 
burning  curiosity,  which  was  powerfully  justified 
by  his  situation. 

"  Who  is  it  that  calls  me  by  the  name  of  Pris- 
eilla?"  said  Mrs.  Lechmere  ;  "none  now  live  who 
can  claim  to  be  so  familiar." 

"  Priscilla — Priscilla,"  repeated  the  old  man, 
looking  about  him,  as  if  he  would  require  the. 
presence  of  another ;  "  it  is  a  soft  and  pleasant 
sound  to  my  ears,  and  there  is  one  that  owns  it 
besides  thee,  as  thou  knowest." 

"  She  is  dead  ;  years  have  gone  by  since  I  saw 
her  in  her  coffin  ;  and  I  would  forget  her,  and  all 
like  her,  who  have  proved  unworthy  of  my  blood." 

"  She  is  not  dead  !" — shouted  the  old  man,  in 
a  voice  that  rung  through  the  naked  rafters  of 
the  edifice  like  the  unearthly  tones  of  sr-rne  spirit 
of  the  air ;  "  she  lives — she  lives — av !  she  yet 
lives  !" 

"  Lives!"  repeated  Mrs.  Lechmere,  recoiling 
a  step  before  the  forward  movement  of  the  other  j 
"  why  am  I  so  weak  as  to  listen!  'tis  impossible." 

"  Lives !"  exclaimed  Abigail  Pray,  clasping 
her  hands  with  agony ;  "  Oh  !  would  to  God  she 
did  live  !  but  did  I  not  see  her  a  bloated,  dis 
figured  corpse!  did  I  not  with  these  very  hands 
place  the  grave-clothes  about  her  once  lovely 

frame  !  Oh  !  no — she  is  dead — dead — and  I  am. 
a» 

"  'Tis  some  madman  that  asserts  these  idle 
tales,"  exclaimed  Mrs.  Lechmere,  with  a  quick 
ness  that  interrupted  the  criminal  epithet  the  other 
was  about  to  apply  to  herself.  "  The  unfortunate 
girl  is  long  since  dead,  as  we  know  ;  why  should 
we  reason  with  a  maniac  ?" 


190  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

"  Maniac  !"  repeated  Rafph,  with  an  expres 
sion  of  the  most  taunting  irony;  "no — no — no — 
such  an  one  there  is,  as  you  and  I  well  know, 
but  'tis  not  [  who  am  mad — thou  art  rather 
crazed  thyself,  woman ;  thou  hast  made  one 
maniac  already,  wouldst  thou  make  another  ?" 

"  I !"  said  Mrs.  Lechmere,  without  quailing 
before  the  ardent  look  she  encountered — "  that 
God  who  bestows  reason,  recalls  his  gift  at  will  j 
'tis  not  I  who  exercise  such  power." 

"  How  say'st  thou,  Priscilla  Lechmere  ?"  cried 
Ralph,  stepping  with  an  inaudible  tread  so  nigh 
as  to  grasp,  unpcrceived,  her  motionless  arm  with 
his,  own  wasted  fingers ;  "  yes — 1  will  call  thee 
Priscilla,  little  as  thou  deserves!  such  a  holy  name 
— dost  thou  deny  the  power  to  craze — where, 
then,  is  the  head  of  thy  boasted  race?  the  proud 
Baronet  of  Devonshire,  the  wealthy,  and  respect 
ed,  and  once  happy  companion  of  Princes — thy 
nephew  Lionel  Lincoln?  Is  he  in  the  halls  of  his 
fathers?  leading  the  armies  of  his  king? — ruling 
and  protecting  his  household  ? — or  is  he  the  te 
nant  of  a  gloomy  cell  ? — thou  knowest  he  is — 
thou  knowest  he  is — and,  woman,  thy  vile  ma 
chinations  have  placed  him  there  !" 

"  Who  is  it  that  dare  thus  speak  to  me  !"  de 
manded  Mrs.  Lechmere,  rallying  her  faculties 
with  a  mighty  effort,  to  look  down  this  charge — 
"  if  my  unhappy  nephew  is  indeed  known  to  theey 
thy  own  knowledge  will  refute  this  base  accusa 
tion" — 

"Known  to  me  !  I  would  ask  what  is  hid  from 
me?  I  have  looked  at  thee,  and  observed  thy 
conduct,  woman,  for  the  life  of  man,  and  nothing 
that  thou  hast  done  is  hid  from  me — I  tell  thee, 
I  know  all.  Of  this  sinful  woman  here  also,  I  know 
all — have  I  not  told  thee,  Abigail  Pray,  of  thy 
most  secret  transgressions  ?" 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  191 

"  Oh  !  yes — yes ;  he  is  indeed  acquainted 
with  what  I  had  thought  was  now  concealed 
from  every  eye  but  that  of  God" — cried  Abigail, 
with  superstitious  terror — 

"Norofthee  am  I  ignorant,  thou  miserable 
widow  of  John  Lechmere ;  and  of  Priscilla,  too, 
do  I  not  know  all  ?" — 

11  All !"  again  exclaimed  Abigail — 

"All!"  repeated  Mrs.  Lechmere  in  a  voice 
barely  audible,  when  she  sunk  back  in  her  chair, 
in  a  state  of  total  insensibility  The  breathless  inte 
rest  he  felt  in  all  that  had  passed,  could  detain 
Lionel  no  longer  from  rushing  to  the  assistance  of 
his  aunt.  Abigail  Pray,  who,  it  would  seem,  had 
been  in  some  measure  accustomed  to  such  scenes 
with  her  lodger,  retained,  however,  sufficient  self- 
command  to  anticipate  his  motions,  and  when  he 
had  gained  the  door  he  found  her  already  support 
ing,  and  making  the  usual  applications  to  Mrs, 
Lechmere.  It  became  necessary  to  divest  the  suf 
ferer  of  part  of  her  attire,  and  Abigail  assuring 
Lionel  of  her  perfect  competency  to  act  by  herself, 
requested  him  to  withdraw,  not  only  on  that  ac 
count,  but  because  she  felt  assured  that  nothing 
could  prove  more  dangerous  to  her  reviving  pa 
tient,  than  his  unexpected  presence.  After  linger 
ing  a  moment,  until  he  witnessed  the  signs  of 
returning  life,  Lionel  complied  with  the  earnest 
entreaties  of  the  woman  ;  and  leavirlg  the  room, 
he  groped  his  way  to  the  foot  of  the  ladder,  with 
a  determination  to  ascend  to  the  apartment  of 
Ralph,  in  order  to  demand  at  once  an  explana 
tion  of  what  he  had  just  seen  and  heard.  He 
found  the  old  man  seated  in  his  little  tower,  hip 
hand  shading  his  eyes  from  the  feeble  light  of 
the  miserable  candle,  and  his  head  drooping  upon 
his  bosom,  like  one  in  pensive  musing.  Lionel 
approached  him,  without  appearing  to  attract 


192  L10SEL   LINCOLN* 

his  attention,  and  was  compelled  to  speak,  ia  or 
der  to  announce  his  presence. 

"  I  have  received  your  summons,  by  Job,'-' 
he  said,  "  and  have  obeyed  it." 

"  'Tis  well,"  returned  Ralph. 

"Perhaps  I  should  add  that  I  have  been  an  as 
tonished  witness  of  your  interview  with  Mrs. 
Lechmere,  and  have  heard  the  bold  and  unac 
countable  language  you  have  seen  proper  to  use 
to  that  lady." 

The  old  man  now  raised  his  head,  and  Lionel 
saw  the  bright  rays  from  his  eyes  quicken,  as 
he  answered — 

"  You  then  heard  the  truth,  and  witnessed  its 
effects  on  a  guilty  conscience." 

"  I  also  heard  what  you  call  the  truth,  in  con 
nexion,  -as  you  know,  with  the  names  most  dear 
to  me." 

"  Art  certain  of  it,  boy  ?"  returned  Ralph, 
looking  the  other  steadily  in  the  face;  "has 
no  other  become  dearer  to  you,  of  late,  than 
the  authors  of  your  being — speak,  and  remember 
that  you  answer  one  of  no  common  knowledge." 

"What  mean  you,  sir!  is  it  in  nature  to  love 
any  as  we  do  a  parent  ?" 

"Away  with  this  childish  simplicity, "continued 
the  other  sternly;  "the  grandchild  of  that 
wretched  woman  below — do  you  not  love  her, 
and  can  I  put  trusi  in  thee  !" 

"  What  trust  is  there  incompatible  with  affec 
tion  for  a  being  so  pure  as  Cecil  Dynevor  ?" 

"  Ay,"  murmured  the  old  man  in  an  under 
tone,  "her  mother  was  pure,  and  why  may  not  the 
child  be  worthy  of  its  parentage  ?"  He  paused, 
and  a  long,  and  on  the  part  of  Lionel,  a  painful 
and  embarrassed  silence  succeeded,  which  was  at 
length  broken  by  Ralph,  who  said,  abruptly — 
*'  you  were  in  the  field  to-day,  Major  Lincoln." 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  193 

•'  Of  that  you  must  be  certain,  as  I  owe  my  life 
to  your  kind  interposition.  But  why  have  you 
braved  the  danger  of  an  arrest,  by  trusting  your 
person  in  the  power  of  the  troops?  Your  presence 
and  activity  among  the  Americans  must  be 
known  to  many  in  the  army  besides  myself." 

"  And  would  they  think  of  searching  for  theii 
enemies  within  the  streets  of  Boston,  when  the  hills 
without  are  filling  with  armed  men!  My  residence 
in  this  building  is  known  only  to  the  woman  below, 
who  dare  not  betray  me,  her  worthy  son,  and  to 
you.  My  movements  are  secret  and  sudden 
when  men  least  expect  them.  Danger  cannot 
touch  such  as  I." 

"But,"  said  Lionel,  hesitating  with  embar 
rassment,  "  ought  I  to  conceal  the  presence  of 
one  whom  I  know  to  be  inimical  to  my  king  ?" — 

"Lionel  Lincoln,  you  overrate  your  courage," 
interrupted  Ralph,  smiling  in  scorn — "  you 
dare  not  shed  the  blood  of  him  who  has  spared 
your  own;1 — but  enough  of  this — we  understand 
each  other,  and  one  old  as  I  should  be  a  stranger 
to  fear  ?" 

"  No,  no,"  said  a  low,  solemn  voice,  from  a 
dark  corner  of  the  apartment,  where  Job  had 
stolen  unseen,  and  was  now  nestled  in  security — 
"you  can't  frighten  Ralph  !" 

"  The  boy  is  a  worthy  boy,  and  he  knows  good 
from  evil ;  what  more  is  necessary  to  man  in  this 
wicked  world  !"  muttered  Ralph,  in  those  quick 
and  indistinct  tones  that  characterized  his  manner. 

"  Whence  came  you,  fellow,  and  why  did  you 
abandon  me  so  abruptly  f"  demanded  Lionel. 

"  Job  has  just  been  into  the  market  to  see  if  he 
couldn't  find  something  that  might  be  good  for 
Nab."  returned  the  lad. 

"  Think  not  to  impose  on  me  with  this  non- 

VOL.    I.  lg 


194  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

sense!  Is  food  to  be  purchased  at  any  hour  of 
the  night,  though  you  had  the  means  !" 

"  Now  that  is  convincing  the  king's  officers 
don't  know  every  thing,"  said  the  simpleton, 
laughing  within  himself—"  here's  as  good  a 
pound  bill,  old  tenor,  as  was  ever  granted  by 
the  Bay-Colony,  and  meat's  no  such  rarity, 
that  a  man,  who  has  a  pound-bill,  old  tenor,  in 
his  pocket,  can't  go  under  old  Funnel  when  he 
pleases,  for  all  their  acts  of  parliament." 

"  You  have  plundered  the  dead  !"  cried  Lio 
nel,  observing  that  Job  exhibited  in  his  hand 
several  pieces  of  silver,  besides  the  note  he  had 
mentioned. 

"Don't  call  Job  a  thief!"  said  the  lad,  with 
a  threatening  air ;  "  there's  law  in  the  Bay 
yet,  though  the  people  don't  use  it;  and  right 
will  be  done  to  all,  when  the  time  cornes.  Job 
shot  a  granny,  but  he's  no  thief." 

"  You  were  then  paid  for  your  secret  errand, 
last  night,  foolish  boy  ;  and  have  been  tempted 
to  run  into  danger  by  money.  Let  it  be  the 
last  time — in  future,  when  you  want,  come  to  me 
for  assistance." 

"Job  won't  go  of  a'r'nds  for  the  king  if  he'd 
give  him  his  golden  crown,  with  all  its  di'monds 
and  flauntiness,  unless  Job  pleases,  for  there's  no 
law  for  it." 

Lionel,  with  a  view  to  appease  the  irritated 
lad,  now  made  a  few  kind  and  conciliating 
remarks,  but  the  changeling  did  not  deign  to  re 
ply,  falling  back  in  his  corner  in  a  sullen  manner, 
as  if  he  would  repair  the  fatigue  of  the  day  by  a 
few  moments  of  sleep.  In  the  mean  time,  Ralph 
had  sunk  into  a  profound  reverie,  when  the  youni 
soldier  remembered  that  the  hour  was  late, 
and  he  had  yet  obtained  no  explanation  of  the 
mysterious  charges.  He  therefore  alluded  to 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  195 

the  subject,  in  a  manner  \vhich  he  thought 
best  adapted  to  obtain  the  desired  intelligence. 
The  instant  Lionel  mentioned  the  agitation  of  his 
aunt,  his  companion  raised  his  head  again,  and  a 
smile  like  thai  of  fierce  exaltation  lighted  the 
wan  face  of  the  old  man,  who  answered,  pointing 
with  an  emphatic  gesture  to  his  own  bosom — 

"  'Twas  here,  boy,  'twas  here — nothing  short 
of  the  power  of  conscience,  and  a  knowledge 
like  that  of  mine,  could  strike  that  woman  speech 
less  in  the  presence  of  any  thing  human." 

"But  what  is  this  extraordinary  knowledge? 
I  am  in  some  degree  the  natural  protector  of 
Mrs.  Lechmere,  and  independent  of  my  indivi^ 
dual  interest  in  your  secret,  have  a  right,  in  her 
behalf,  to  require  an  explanation  of  such  serious 
allegations." 

"  In  her  behalf!"  repeated  Ralph.  "  Wait,  im 
petuous  young  man,  until  she  bids  you  push  the 
inquiry — it  shall  then  be  answered,  in  a  voice 
of  thunder." 

"  If  not  in  justice  to  my  aged  aunt,  at  least  re 
member  your  repeated  promises  to  unfold  that 
sad  tale  of  my  own  domestic  sorrows,  of  which 
you  claim  to  be  the  master." 

"  Ay,  of  that,  and  much  more,  am  I  in  posses 
sion,"  returned  the  old  man,  smiling,  as  if  con 
scious  of  his  knowledge  and  power ;  "  if  you 
doubt  it,  descend  and  ask  the  miserable  tenant 
of  this,  warehouse — or  the  guilty  widow  of  John 
Lechmere." 

"  Nay,  I  doubt  nothing  but  my  own  patience  ; 
the  moments  fly  swiftly,  and  1  have  yet  to  learn 
all  I  wish  to  know." 

"  This  is  neither  the  time,  nor  is  it  the  place, 
where  you  are  to  hear  the  tale,"  returned  Ralph ; 
"  I  have  already  said  that  we  shall  meet  be 
yond  the  colleges  for  that  purpose." 


196  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

"  But  after  the  events  of  this  day,  who  can  tell 
when  it  will  be  in  the  power  of  an  officer  of  the 
crown  to  visit  the  colleges  in  safety  ?" 

"  What !"  cried  the  old  man,  laughing  aloud, 
in  the  bitterness  of  his  scorn  "  has  the  boy  found 
the  strength  and  the  will  of  the  despised  colonists 
so  soon !  But  I  pledge  to  thee  my  word,  that 
thou  shall  yet  see  the  place,  and  in  safety. — Yes, 
yes,  Priscilla  Lechmere,  thy  hour'is  at  hand,  and 
thy  doom  is  sealed  for  ever  !" 

Lionel  again  mentioned  his  aunt,  and  alluded 
to  the  necessity  of  his  soon  rejoining  her,  as 
he  already  heard  footsteps  below,  which  indicated 
that  preparations  were  making  for  her  departure. 
But  his  petitions  and  remonstrances  were  now 
totally  unheeded,  his  aged  companion  was  pacing 
swiftly  up  and  down  his  small  apartment,  mutter 
ing  incoherent  sentences,  in  which  the  name  of 
Priscilla  was  alone  audible,  and  his  countenance 
betraying  the  inward  workings  of  absorbing  and 
fierce  passions.  In  a  few  moments  more,  the 
shrill  voice  of  Abigail  was  heard  calling  upon  her 
son,  in  a  manner  which  plainly  denoted  her  know 
ledge  that  the  changeling  was  concealed  some 
where  about  the  building.  Job  heard  her  calls  re 
peated,  until  the  tones  of  her  voice  became  angry 
and  threatening,  when  he  stole  slowly  from  his 
corner,  and  moved  towards  the  ladder,  with  a 
sunken  brow  and  lingering  steps.  Lionel  now 
knew  not  how  to  act.  His  aunt  was  still  ignorant 
of  his  presence,  and  he  thought  if  Abigail  Pray 
had  wished  him  to  appear,  he  would  in  some 
manner  be  soon  included  in  the  summons.  He  had 
also  his  own  secret  reasons  for  wishing  his  visits 
to  Ralph  unknown ;  accordingly,  he  determined 
to  watch  the  movements  below,  under  the  favour 
of  the  darkness,  and  to  be  governed  entirely  03 


LIONEL    LINCOLN. 


197 


circumstances.  He  took  no  leave  of  his  compa 
nion  on  departing,  for  long  use  had  so  far  accus 
tomed  him  to  the  eccentric  manner  of  the  old 
man,  that  he  well  knew  any  attempt  to  divert 
his  attention  from  his  burning  thoughts,  would  be 
futile  at  a  moment  of  such  intense  excitement. 

From  the  head  of  the  ladder  where  Lionel 
took  his  stand,  he  saw  Mrs.  Lechmere,  preced 
ed  by  Job  with  a  lantern,  walking  with  a  firmer 
step  than  he  could  have  hoped  for,  towards  the 
door,  and  he  overheard  Abigail  cautioning  her 
wilful  son  to  light  her  visiter  to  a  neighbouring 
corner,  where  it  appeared  a  conveyance  was  in 
waiting.  On  the  threshold,  his  aunt  turned,  and 
the  light  from  the  candle  of  Abigail  falling  on  her 
features,  Lionel  caught  a  full  view  of  her  cold, 
hard  eye,  which  had  regained  all  its  worldly  ex 
pression,  though  softened  a  little  by  a  deeper 
shade  of  thought  than  usual. 

"  Let  the  scene  of  to-night  be  forgotten,  my 
good  Abigail,"  she  said.  "  Your  lodger  is  a 
nameless  being,  who  has  gleaned  some  idle  tale, 
and  wishes  to  practise  on  our  credulity  to  en 
rich  himself.  I  will  consider  more  of  it;  but 
on  no  account  do  you  hold  any  further  com 
munion  with  him — I  must  remove  you,  my  trusty 
woman  ;  this  habitation  is  unworthy  of  you,  and 
of  your  dutiful  son,  too — I  must  see  you  better 
lodged,  rny  good  Abigail,  indeed  I  must." 

Lionel  could  distinguish  the  slight  shudder  that 
passed  through  the  frame  of  her  companion,  as 
she  alluded  to  the  doubtful  character  of  Ralph; 
but  without  answering,  Abigail  held  the  door  open 
for  the  departure  of  her  guest.  The  instant  Mrs. 
Lechmere  disappeared,  Lionel  glided  down  the 
ladder,  and  stood  before  the  astonished  woman. 

"  When  I  tell  you  1  have  heard  all  that  passed 
to-night,"  he  abruptly  said,  "you  will  see  the  folly 
18  * 


198  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

of  any  further  attempt  at  concealment — I  now 
demand  so  much  of  your  secret  as  affects  the  hap 
piness  of  rne  or  mine." 

"  No — no — not  of  me,  Major  Lincoln,"  sawl 
the  terrified  female — "  not  of  me,  for  the  love  oi 
God,  not  of  me — I  have  sworn  to  keep  it,  and 

one  oath "  her  emotions  choked  her,  and  her 

voice  became  indistinct. 

Lionel  regretted  his  vehemence,  and  ashamed 
to  extort  a  confession  from  a  woman,  he  attempt 
ed  to  pacify  her  feelings,  promising  to  require  no 
further  communication  at  that  time. 

"  Go — go" — she  said,  motioning  him  to  depart. 
"  and  I  shall  be  well  again — leave  me,  and  then 
I  shall  be  alone  with  that  terrible  old  man,  and 
my  God  !" 

Perceiving  her  earnestness,  he  reluctantly  com 
plied,  and  meeting  Job  on  the  threshold,  he  ceas 
ed  to  feel  any  further  uneasiness  for  her  safety. 

During  his  rapid  walk  to  Tremont-street,  Major 
Lincoln  thought  intently  on  all  he  had  heard  and 
witnessed.  He  remembered  the  communications 
by  which  Ralph  had  attained  such  a  powerful 
interest  in  his  feelings,  and  he  fancied  he  could 
discover  a  pledge  of  the  truth  of  the  old  man's 
knowledge  in  the  guilt  betrayed  by  the  manner 
of  his  aunt.  From  Mrs.  Lechmere  his  thought? 
recurred  to  her  lovely  grandchild,  and  for  a  mo 
ment  he  was  .perplexed,  by  endeavouring  to  ex 
plain  her  contradictory  deportment  towards  him 
self; — at  one  lime  she  was  warm,  frank,  and 
even  affectionate;  and  at  another,  as  in  the  short 
and  private  interview  of  that  very  evening, 
cold,  constrained,  and  repulsive.  Then,  again, 
he  recollected  the  object  which  had  chiefly  in 
duced  him  to  follow  his  regiment  to  his  native 
country,  and  the  recollection  was  attended 
by  that  shade  of  dejection  which  such  reflection? 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  199 

never  failed  to  cast  across  his  intelligent  fea 
tures.  On  reaching  the  house,  he  ascertained 
the  safe  return  of  Mrs.  Lechmere,  who  had 
already  retired  to  her  room,  attended  by  her 
lovely  relatives.  Lionel  immediately  followed 
their  example,  and  as  the  excitement  of  that 
memorable  and  busy  day  subsided,  it  was  suc 
ceeded  by  a  deep  sleep,  that  fell  on  his  senses 
like  the  forgetfulness  of  the  dead. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

(i  Now  let  it  work  :  Mischief  thou  art  afoot,. 
"  Take  thou  what  course  thou  wilt !" 

Shakspeare. 

THE  alarm  of  the  inroad  passed  swiftly  ty 
the  low  shores  of  the  Atlantic,  and  was  heard 
echoing  among  the  rugged  mountains  west  of 
the  rivers,  as  if  borne  along  on  a  whirlwind.  The 
male  population,  between  the  rolling  waters  of 
Massachusetts-Bay  and  the  limpid  stream  of  the 
Connecticut,  rose  as  one  man  ;  and  as  the  cry 
of  blood  was  sounded  far  inland,  the  hills  and 
valleys,  the  highways  and  footpaths,  were  seen  co 
vered  with  bands  of  armed  husbandmen,  pressing 
eagerly  toward  the  scene  of  the  war.  Within 
eight-and-forty  hours  after  the  fatal  meeting  at 
Lexington,  it  was  calculated  that  more  than  a 
hundred  thousand  men  were  in  arms;  and  near 
one-fourth  of  that  number  was  gathered  before 
the  Peninsulas  of  Boston  and  Charlestown. 
They  who  were  precluded  by  distance,  and  a 
want  of  military  provisions  to  support  such  a 
concourse,  from  participating  in  the  more  im 
mediate  contest,  lay  by  in  expectation  of  the  ar 
rival  of  that  moment  when  their  zeal  might  also 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  201 

be  put  to  severer  trials.  In  short,  the  sullen 
quietude  in  which  the  colonies  had  been  slum 
bering  for  a  year,  was  suddenly  and  rudely  broken 
by  the  events  of  that  day;  and  the  patriotic  among 
the  people  rose  with  such  a  cry  of  indignation 
on  their  Ijps,  that  the  disaffected,  who  were  no 
insignificant  class  in  the  more  southern  pro 
vinces,  were  compelled  to  silence,  until  the  first 
burst  of  revolutionary  excitement  had  an  oppor 
tunity  to  subside,  under  the  never-failing  influ 
ence  of  time  and  suffering. 

Gage,  secure  in  his  positions,  and  supported 
by  a  constantly  increasing  power,  as  well  as  the 
presence  of  a  formidable  fleet,  looked  on  the 
gathering  storm  with  a  steady  eye,  and  with  that 
calmness  which  distinguished  the  mild  benevo 
lence  of  his  private  character.  Though  the  at 
titude  and  the  intentions  of  the  Americans  could 
no  longer  be  mistaken,  he  listened  with  reluctant 
ears  to  the  revengeful  advice  of  his  counsellors, 
and  rather  strove  to  appease  the  tumult,  than  to 
attempt  crushing  it  by  a  force,  which,  though  a 
month  before,  it  had  been  thought  equal  to  the 
united  power  of  the  peaceful  colonists,  he  now 
prudently  deemed  no  more  than  competent  to 
protect  itself  within  its  watery  boundaries.  Pro 
clamations  were,  however,  fulminated  against  the 
rebels;  and  such  other  measures  as  were  thought 
indispensable  to  assert  the  dignity  and  authority 
of  the  crown,  were  promptly  adopted.  Of  course, 
these  harmless  denunciations  were  disregarded, 
and  all  his  exhortations  to  return  to  an  allegiance 
which  the  people  still  denied  had  ever  been  im 
paired,  were  lost  amid  the  din  of  arms,  and  the 
popular  cries  of  the  tirue.  These  appeals  of  the 
British  General,  as  well  as  sundry  others,  made 
by  the  royal  governors  who  yet  held  their  rule 
throughout  all  the  provinces,  except  the  one  in 


202  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

which  the  scene  of  our  tale  is  laid,  were  answered 
by  the  people  in  humble,  but  manly  petitions  to 
the  throne  for  justice  ;  and  in  loud  remonstrances 
to  the  Parliament,  requiring  to  be  restored  to  the 
possession  of  those  rights  and  immunities  which 
should  be  secured  to  all  who  enjoyed  the  protec 
tion  of  their  common  constitution.  Still  the  power 
arid  prerogatives  of  the  Prince  were  deeply  re 
spected,  and  were  alluded  to,  in  all  public  docu 
ments,  with  the  veneration  which  was  thought  due 
to  the  sacredness  of  his  character  and   station. 
But  that  biting,  though  grave  sarcasm  which  the 
colonists   knew  so  well    how  to  use,  was  freely 
expended  on  his  ministers,  who  were  accused  of 
devising  the  measures  so  destructive  to  the  peace 
of  the  empire.    In  this  manner  passed  some  weeks 
after  the  series  of  skirmishes  which  were  called 
the  battle  of  Lexington,  from  the  circumstance 
of  commencing    at  the   hamlet   of  that   name, 
both  parties  continuing  to  prepare  for  a  mightier, 
exhibition  of  their  power  and  daring. 

Lionel  had  by  no  means  been  an  unconcern 
ed  spectator  of  these  preparations      The  morn 
ing  after  the  return  of  the  detachment,  he  applied 
for  a  command,  equal  to  his  just  expectations. 
But  while  he  was  complimented  on  the  spirit 
and  loyalty  he  had  manifested  on  the  late  oc 
casion,  it  was  intimated  to  the  young  man  that 
he  might  be  of  more  service  to  the  cause  of  his 
Prince,  by  devoting  his  time  to  the  cultivation  of 
his  interest  among  those  powerful  colonists  with 
whom  his  family  was  allied  by  blood,  or  con 
nected  by  long   and  close  intimacies.     It  was 
even  submitted  to  his  own  judgment  whether  it 
would  not  be  well,  at  some  auspicious  moment, 
to  trust  his  person  without  the  defences  of  the 
army,  in  the  prosecution  of  this  commendable 
design.     There  was  so  much  thai  was  flatter- 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  203 

Ing  to  the  self-love,  and  soothing  to  the  pride 
of  the  young  soldier,  artfully  mingled  with  these 
ambiguous  proposals,  that  he  became  content 
to  await  the  course  of  events,  having,  how 
ever,  secured  a  promise  of  obtaining  a  suitable 
military  command  in  the  case  of  further  hostili 
ties.  That  such  an  event  was  at  hand,  could  not 
well  be  concealed  from  one  much  less  observing 
than  Major  Lincoln. 

Gage  had  already  abandoned  his  temporary 
position  in  Charlestown,  for  the  sake  of  procur 
ing  additional  security  by  concentrating  his 
force.  From  the  hills  of  the  Peninsula  of  Bos 
ton,  it  was  apparent  that  the  colonists  were 
fast  assuming  the  front  of  men  who  were  re 
solved  to  beleaguer  the  army  of  the  King. 
Many  of  the  opposite  heights  were  already 
crowned  with  hastily-formed  works  of  earth,  and 
a  formidable  body  of  these  unpractised  warriors 
had  set  themselves  boldly  down  before  the  en 
trance  to  the  isthmus,  cutting  off  all  communica 
tion  with  the  adjacent  country,  and  occupying 
the  little  village  of  Roxbury,  directly  before  the 
muzzles  of  the  British  guns,  with  a  hardiness  that 
would  not  have  disgraced  men  much  longer  tried 
in  the  field,  and  more  inured  to  its  dangers. 

The  surprise  created  in  the  army  by  these  ap 
pearances  of  skill  and  spirit  among  the  hitherto 
despised  Americans,  in  some  measure  ceased 
when  the  rumour  spread  itself  in  their  camp,  that 
many  gentlemen  of  the  Provinces,  who  had  served 
with  credit  in  the  forces  of  the  crown,  at  former 
periods,  were  mingled  with  the  people  in  sta 
tions  of  responsibility  and  command.  Among 
others,  Lionel  heard  the  names  of  Ward  and 
Thomas;  men  of  liberal  attainments,  and  of  some 
experience  in  arms.  Both  were  regularly  com 
missioned  by  the  Congress  of  the  colony  as 
leaders  of  their  forces;  and  under  their  orders 


204  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

were  numerous  regiments  duly  organized ;  pos 
sessing  all  the  necessary  qualifications  of  sol 
diers,  excepting  the  two  indispensible  requisites 
of  discipline  and  arms.  Lionel  heard  the  name 
of  Warren  mentioned  oftener  than  any  other 
in  the  circles  of  Province-house,  and  with 
that  sort  of  bitterness,  which,  even  while  it 
bespoke  their  animosity,  betrayed  the  respect  of 
his  enemies.  This  gentleman,  who,  until  the  last 
moment  had  braved  the  presence  of  the  royal 
troops,  and  fearlessly  advocated  his  principles, 
while  encircled  with  their  bayonets,  was  now 
known  to  have  suddenly  disappeared  from 
among  them,  abandoning  home,  property,  and  a 
lucrative  profession;  and  by'  sharing  in  the 
closing  scenes  of  the  day  of  Lexington,  to  have 
fairly  cast  his  fortunes  on  the  struggle.  But 
the  name  which  in  secret  possessed  the  greatest 
charm  for  the  ear  of  the  young  British  soldier, 
was  that  of  Putnam,  a  yeoman  of  the  neighbour 
ing  colony  of  Connecticut,  who,  as  the  uproar 
of  the  alarm  whirled  by  him,  literally  deserted 
his  plough,  and  mounting  a  beast  from  its  team, 
made  an  early  halt,  after  a  forced  march  of  a 
hundred  miles,  in  the  foremost  ranks  of  his  coun 
trymen.  While  the  name  of  this  sturdy  American 
was  passing  in  whispers  among  the  veterans  who 
crowded  the  levees  of  Gage,  a  flood  of  melan 
choly  and  tender  recollections  flashed  through 
the  brain  of  the  young  man.  He  remembered 
the  frequent  and  interesting  communications 
which  in  his  boyhood,  he  had  held  with  his  own 
father,  before  the  dark  shade  had  passed  across 
the  reason  of  Sir  Lionel,  and,  in  every  tale  of 
murderous  combats  with  the  savage  tenants  of 
the  wilds,  in  each  scene  of  danger  and  of  dar 
ing  that  had  distinguished  the  romantic  warfare 
of  the  wilderness,  and  even  in  strange  and  fearful 


LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

encounters  with  the  beasts  of  the  forest,  the  name 
of  this  man  was  blended  with  a  species  of  chival 
rous  fame  that  is  seldom  obtained  in  an  enlighten 
ed  age,  and  never  undeservedly.  The  great 
wealth  of  the  family  of  Lincoln,  and  the  high 
expectations  of  its  heir,  had  obtained  for  the  latter 
a  military  rank  which  at  that  period  was  rarely 
enjoyed  by  any  but  such  as  had  bought  the  dis 
tinction  by  long  and  arduous  services.  Conse 
quently,  many  of  his  equals  had  shared  in  those 
trials  of  his  father,  in  which  the  '  Lion  heart'  of 
America  had  been  so  conspicuous  for  his  deeds. 
By  these  grave  veterans,  who  should  know  him 
besl,  the  name  of  Putnam  was  always  mentioned 
with  strong  and  romantic  affection;  and  when  the 
notable  scheme  of  detaching  him,  by  the  pro 
mise  of  office  and  wealth,  from  the  cause  of  the 
colonists  was  proposed  by  the  cringing  coun 
sellors  who  surrounded  the  commander-in-chief, 
it  was  listened  to  with  a  contemptuous  incre 
dulity  by  the  former  associates  of  the  old  par 
tisan,  that  the  result  of  the  plan  fully  justified. 
Similar  inducements  were  offered  to  others  among 
the  Americans,  whose  talents  were  thought  wor 
thy  of  purchase ;  but  so  deep  root  had  the  prin 
ciples  of  the  day  taken,  that  not  a  man  of  any  note 
was  found  to  listen  to  the  proposition. 

While  these  subtle  experiments  were  adopted 
in  the  room  of  more  energetic  measures,  troops 
continued  to  arrive  from  England,  and,  before 
the  end  of  May,  many  leaders  of  renown  ap 
peared  in  the  councils  of  Gage,  who  now  pos 
sessed  a  disposable  force  of  not  less  than  eight 
thousand  bayonets.  With  the  appearance  of  these 
reinforcements,  the  fallen  pride  of  the  army  be 
gan  to  revive,  and  the  spirits  of  the  haughty 
young  men  who  had  so  recently  left  the  gay 
parades  of  their  boasted  island,  were  chafed  by 

VOL.  i.  19 


206  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

the  reflection  that  such  an  army  should  be  coop 
ed  within  the  narrow  limits  of  the  peninsula 
by  a  band  of  half-armed  husbandmen,  destitute 
alike  of  the  knowledge  of  war  and  of  most  of 
its  munitions.  This  feeling  was  increased  by 
the  taunts  of  the  Americans  themselves,  who 
now  turned  the  tables  on  their  adversaries,  ap 
plying,  among  other  sneers,  the  term  of  "elbow- 
room"  freely  to  Burgoyne,  one  of  those  chief 
tains  of  the  royal  army,  who  had  boasted  un 
wittingly  of  the  intention  of  himself  and  his 
compeers,  to  widen  the  limits  of  the  army  im 
mediately  on  their  arrival  at  the  scene  of  the 
contest.  The  aspect  of  things  within  the  Bri- 
ish  camp  began  to  indicate,  however,  that  their 
leaders  were  serious  in  the  intention  to  extend 
their  possessions,  and  all  eyes  were  again  turned 
to  the  heights  of  Charlestown,  the  spot  most  like 
ly  to  be  first  occupied. 

No  military  positions  could  be  more  happily 
situated,  as  respects  locality,  to  support  each 
other,  and  to  extend  and  weaken  the  lines  of 
their  enemies,  than  the  two  opposite  peninsulas 
so  often  mentioned.  The  distance  between  them 
was  but  six  hundred  yards,  and  the  deep  and 
navigable  waters  by  which  they  were  nearly 
surrounded,  rendered  it  easy  for  the  royal  gene 
ral  to  command,  at  any  time,  the  assistance  of 
the  heaviest  vessels  of  the  fleet,  in  defending 
either  place.  With  these  advantages  before  them, 
the  army  gladly  heard  those  orders  issued, 
which,  it  was  well  understood,  indicated  an  ap 
proaching  movement  to  the  opposite  shores. 

It  was  now  eight  weeks  since  the  commence 
ment  of  hostilities,  and  the  \var  had  been  confined 
to  the  preparations  detailed,  with  the  exception 
of  one  or  two  sharp  skirmishes  on  the  islands  of 
the  harbour,  between  the  foragers  of  the  army. 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  207 

and  small  parties  of  the  Americans,  in  which 
the  latter  well  maintained  their  newly  acquired 
reputation  for  spirit. 

With  the  arrival  of  the  regiments  from  Eng 
land,  gaiety  had  once  more  visited  the  town, 
though  such  of  the  inhabitants  as  were  com 
pelled  to  remain  against  their  inclinations,  con 
tinued  to  maintain  that  cold  reserve,  in  their 
deportment,  which  effectually  repelled  all  the 
efforts  of  the  officers  to  include  them  in  the  wan 
ton  festivities  of  the  time.  There  were  a  few, 
however,  among  the  colonists,  who  had  been 
bribed,  by  offices  and  emoluments,  to  desert  the 
good  cause  of  the  land  ;  and  as  some  of  these  had 
already  been  rewarded  by  offices  which  gave 
them  access  to  the  ear  of  the  royal  governor, 
who  was  thought  to  be  unduly  and  unhappily  in 
fluenced  by  the  pernicious  councils  with  which 
they  poisoned  his  mind  and  prepared  him  for 
acts  of  injustice  and  harshness,  that  both  his 
unbiassed  feelings  and  ordinary  opinions  would 
have  condemned.  A  few  days  succeeding  the 
affair  of  Lexington,  a  meeting  of  the  inhabitants 
had  been  convened,  and  a  solemn  compact  was 
made  between  them  and  the  governor,  that  such 
as  chose  to  deliver  up  their  arms,  might  leave 
the  place,  while  the  remainder  were  promised  a 
suitable  protection  in  iheir  own  dwellings.  The 
arms  were  delivered,  but  that  part  of  the  con 
ditions  which  related  to  the  removal  of  the  inha 
bitants  was  violated,  under  slight  and  insufficient 
pretexts.  This,  and  various  other  causes  inciden 
tal  to  military  rule,  imbittered  the  feelings  of  the 
people,  and  furnished  new  causes  of  complaint; 
while,  on  the  other  hand,  hatred  was  rapidly 
usurping  the  place  of  contempt,  in  the  breasts 
of  those  who  had  been  compelled  to  change 
their  sentiments  with  respect  to  a  people  that 


208  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

they  could  never  love.  In  this  manner,  re 
sentment  and  distrust  existed,  with  all  the  vio 
lence  of  personality,  within  the  place  itself, 
affording  an  additional  reason  to  the  troops  for 
wishing  to  extend  their  limits.  Notwithstand 
ing  these  inauspicious  omens  of  the  character 
of  the  contest,  the  native  kindness  of  Gage,  and 
perhaps  a  desire  to  rescue  a  few  of  his  own 
men  from  the  hands  of  the  colonists,  induced 
him  to  consent  to  an  exchange  of  the  prisoners 
made  in  the  inroad ;  thus  establishing,  in  the 
onset,  a  precedent  to  distinguish  the  controversy 
from  an  ordinary  rebellion  against  the  loyal  au 
thority  of  the  sovereign.  A  meeting  was  held, 
for  this  purpose,  in  the  village  of  Charlestown,  at 
that  time  unoccupied  by  either  army.  At  the 
head  of  the  American  deputation  appeared 
Warren,  and  the  old  partisan  of  the  wilderness, 
already  mentioned,  who,  by  a  happy,  though  not 
uncommon  constitution  of  temperament,  was  as 
forward  in  deeds  of  charity  as  in  those  of  daring. 
At  this  interview,  several  of  the  veterans  of  the 
royal  army  were  present,  having  passed  the 
strait  to  hold  a  last?  friendly  converse  with  their 
ancient  comrade,  who  received  them  with  the 
frankness  of  a  soldier,  while  he  rejected  their  sub 
tle  endeavours  to  entice  him  from  the  banners 
under  which  he  had  enlisted,  with  a  sturdiness 
as  unpretending  as  it  was  inflexible. 

While  these  events  were  occurring  at  the  great 
scene  of  the  contest,  the  hum  of  preparation  was 
to  be  heard  throughout  the  whole  of  the  wide  ex 
tent  of  the  colonies.  In  various  places  slight  acts 
of  hostility  were  committed,  the  Americans  no 
longer  waiting  for  the  British  to  be  the  aggres 
sors,  and  everywhere  such  military  stores  as 
could  be  reached,  were  seized,  peaceably  or  by 
violence,  as  the  case  required.  The  concentration 
of  most  of  the  troops  in  Boston,  had,  however. 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  209 

left  the  other  colonies  comparatively  but  little  to 
achieve,  though,  while  they  still  rested,  nominal 
ly,  under  the  dominion  of  the  crown,  they  ne 
glected  no  means  within  their  power  to  assert 
their  rights  in  the  last  extremit}7. 

At  Philadelphia  "the  Congress  of  the  Delegates 
from  the  United  Colonies,"  the  body  that  control 
led  the  great  movements  of  a  people  who  now  first 
began  to  act  as  a 'distinct  nation,  issued  their  ma 
nifestos,  supporting,  in  a  masterly  manner,  their 
principles,  and -proceeded  to  organize  an  army 
that  should  be  as  competent  to  maintain  them  as 
circumstances  would  allow.  Gentlemen  who  had 
been  trained  to  arms  in  the  service  of  the  king, 
were  invited  to  resort  to  their  banners,  and  the  re 
mainder  of  the  vacancies  were  filled  by  the  names 
of  the  youthful,  the  bold,  and  adventurous,  who 
were  willing  to  risk  tht-ir  lives  in  a  cause  where 
even  success  promised  so  little  personal  advantage. 
At  the  head  of  this  list  of  untrained  warriors,  the 
Congress  placed  one  of  their  own  body,  a  man 
already  distinguished  for  his  services  in  the  field, 
and  who  has  sipoe  bequeathed  to  his  country  the 
glory  of  an  untarnished  name. 


CHAP.  XIV. 

"  Thou  shall  meet  me  at  Philippi.1' 

Julius  Caesar. 

DURING  this  period  of  feverish  excitement, 
while  the  appearance  and  privations  of  war  ex 
isted  with  so  little  of  its  danger  or  its  action,  Lio 
nel  had  not  altogether  forgotten  his  personal  feel 
ings,  in  the  powerful  interest  created  by  the  state 
of  public  affairs.  Early  on  the»norning  succeed 
ing  the  night  of  the  scene  between  Mrs.  Lech- 
mere  and  the  inmates  of  the  warehouse,  he  had 
repaired  again  to  the  spot,  to  relieve  the  intense 
anxiety  of  his  mind,  by  seeking  a  complete  expla 
nation  of  all  those  mysteries  which  had  been  the 
principal  ligament  that  bound  him  to  a  man. 
little  known,  except  for  his  singularities. 

The  effects  of  the  preceding  day's  battle 
were  already  visible  in  the  market-place,  where, 
as  Lionel  passed,  he  saw  few,  or  none  of  the 
countrymen  who  usually  crowded  the  square  at 
that  hour.  In  fact,  the  windows  of  the  shops 
were  opened  with  caution,  and  men  looked  out 
upon  the  face  of  the  sun,  as  if  doubting  of  its 
appearance  and  warmth,  as  in  seasons  of  ordi- 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  211 

nary  quiet ;  jealousy,  and  distrust,  having  com 
pletely  usurped  the  place  of  security  within  the 
streets  of  the  town.  Notwithstanding  the  hour, 
few  were  in  their  beds,  and  those  who  appeared 
betrayed  by  their  looks  that  they  had  passed  the 
night  in  watchfulness.  Among  this  number  was 
Abigail  Pray,  who  received  her  guest  in  her  lit 
tle  tower,  surrounded  by  every  thing  as  he 
had  seen  it  on  the  past  evening,  nothing  alter 
ed,  except  her  own  dark  eye,  which  at  times 
looked  like  a  gem  of  price  sat  in  her  squalid 
features,  but  which  now  appeared  haggard  and 
sunken,  participating  more  markedly  than  com 
mon,  in  the  general  air  of  misery  that  pervaded 
the  woman. 

"  I  have  intruded  at  a  somewhat  unusual  hour, 
Mrs.  Pray,"  said  Lionel,  as  he  entered  ;  "  but 
business  of  the  last  moment  requires  that  I  should 
see  your  lodger — I  suppose  he  is  above  ;  it  will 
be  well  to  announce  my  visit." 

Abigail  shook  her  head  with  an  air  of  solemn 
meaning,  as  she  answered  in  a  subdued  voice, 
"  he  is  gone !" 

"  Gone  !"  exclaimed  Lionel — "  whither,  and 
when  ?" 

"  The  people  seem  visited  by  the  wrath  of 
God,  sir,"  returned  the  woman — "  old  and  young, 
the  sick  and  well,  are  crazy  about  the  shedding 
of  blood;  and  it's  beyond  the  might  of  man  to 
say  where  the  torrent  wiil  be  stayed  !" 

"  But  what  has  this  to  do  with  Ralph  !  where  is 
he  ?  Woman,  you  are  not  playing  me  false  !" 

"  I !  heaven  forbid  that  I  should  ever  be  false 
again !  and  tc  you  least  of  all  God's  creatures  ! 
No,  no,  Major  Lincoln;  the  wonderful  man,  who 
seems  to  have  lived  so  long  that  he  can  even  read 
our  secret  thoughts,  as  I  had  supposed  man  could 


212  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

never  read  them,  has  left  me,  and  I  know  not 
whether  he  will  ever  return." 

"  Ever !  you  have  not  driven  him  by  violence 
from  under  your  miserable  roof?" 

"  My  roof  is  like  that  of  the  fowls  of  the  air — 
'tis  the  roof  of  any  who  are  so  unfortunate  as  to 
need  it. — There  is  no  spot  on  earth,  Major  Lin 
coln,  that  I  can  call  mine — but  one  day  there 
will  be  one — yes,  yes — there  will  be  a  narrow 
house  provided  for  us  all ;  and  God  grant  that 
mine  may  be  as  quiet  as  the  coffin  is  said  to  be ! 
I  lie  not,  Major  Lincoln — no,  this  time  I  am 
innocent  of  deceit — Ralph  and  Job  have  gone 
together,  but  whither,  I  know  not,  unless  it  he  to 
join  the  people  without  the  town — they  left  me 
as  the  moon  rose,  and  he  gave  me  a  parting  and 
a  warning  voice,  that  will  ring  in  iuy  ears  until 
they  are  deafened  by  the  damps  of  the  grave  !" 

"  Gone  to  join  the  Americans,  and  with  Job  !" 
returned  Lionel,  musing,  and  without  attending 
to  the  closing  words  of  Abigail. — "  Your  boy  will 
purchase  peril  with  this  madness,  Mrs.  Pray,  and 
should  be  looked  to." 

"Job  is  not  one  of  God's  accountables,  nor 
is  he  to  be  treated  like  other  children,"  returned 
the  woman.  "  Ah  !  Major  Lincoln,  a  healthier, 
and  a  stouter,  and  a  finer  boy  was  not  to  be 
seen  in  the  Bay-Province,  till  the  child  had  reach 
ed  his  fifth  year!  then,  then  it  was  that  the  judg 
ment  of  heaven  fell  on  mother  and  son — sick 
ness  made  him  what  you  see,  a  being  with  the 
form,  but  without  the  reason  of  man,  and  I  have 
grown  the  wretch  I  am.  But  it  has  all  been  fore 
told,  and  warnings  enough  have  I  had  of  it  all ! 
for  is  it  not  said,  that  he  "  will  visit  the  sins  of 
the  fathers  upon  the  children  until  the  third  and 
fourth  generation !"  Thank  God,  my  sorrows  and 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  213 

sius  will  end  with  Job,  for  there  never  can  be  a 
third  to  suffer !" 

"  If,"  said  Lionel,  "  there  be  any  sin  which 
lies  heavy  at  your  heart,  every  consideration, 
whether  of  justice  or  repentance,  should  induce 
you  to  confess  your  errors  to  those  whose  hap 
piness  may  be  affected  by  the  knowledge,  if  any 
such  there  be?" 

The  anxious  eye  of  the  woman  raised  itself 
to  meet  the  look  of  the  young  man  ;  but  quail 
ing  before  the  piercing  gaze  it  encountered,  she 
quickly  turned  it  upon  the  litter  and  confusion 
of  her  disordered  apartment.  Lionel  waited 
some  time  for  a  reply,  but  finding  that  she  re 
mained  obstinately  silent,  he  continued — 

"  From  what  has  already  passed,  you  must  be 
conscious  that  1  have  good  reason  to  believe 
that  my  feelings  are  deeply  concerned  in  your 
secret ;  make,  then,  your  confession  of  the  guilt 
which  seems  to  bear  you  down  so  heavily  ;  and 
in  return  for  the  confidence,  I  promise  you  my 
forgiveness  and  protection." 

As  Lionel  pressed  thus  directly  the  point  so 
near  his  heart,  the  woman  shrunk  away  from  her 
situation  near  him,  and  her  countenance  lost,  as 
he  proceeded,  its  remarkable  expression  of  com 
punction,  in  a  forced  look  of  deep  surprise,  that 
showed  she  was  no  novice  in  dissimulation,  what 
ever  might  be  the  occasional  warnings  of  her 
conscience. 

"  Guilt !"  she  repeated,  in  a  slow  and  tremu 
lous  voice  ;  "  we  are  all  guilty,  and  would  be 
lost  creatures,  but  for  the  blood  of  the  Medi 
ator." 

"Most  true;  but  you  have  spoken  of  crimes 
that  infringe  the  laws  of  man,  as  well  as  those 
of  God." 


214  LIONEL  LINCOLN. 

"  I !  Major  Lincoln — I,  a  disorderly  law 
breaker  !"  exclaimed  Abigail,  affecting  to  busy 
herself  in  arranging  her  apartment — "  it  is  not 
such  as  I,  that  have  leisure  or  courage  to 
break  the  laws !  Major  Lincoln  is  trying  a 
poor  lone  woman,  to  make  his  jokes  with  the 
gentlemen  of  his  mess  this  evening— 'tis  certain, 
we  all  of  us  have  our  burthens  of  guilt  to  an 
swer  for — surely  Major  Lincoln  couldn't  have 
heard  minister  Hunt  preach  his  sermon,  the  last 
Sabbath,  on  the  sins  of  the  town !" 

Lionel  coloured  highly  at  the  artful  impu 
tation  of  the  woman,  that  he  was  practising  on 
her  sex  and  unprotected  situation ;  and  greatly 
provoked,  in  secret,  at  her  duplicity,  he  became 
more  guarded  in  his  language,  endeavouring  to 
lead  her  on,  by  kindness  and  soothing,  to  the  de 
sired  communications.  But  all  his  ingenuity  was 
met  by  more  than  equal  abilities  on  the  part  of 
Abigail,  from  whom  he  only  obtained  expressions 
of  surprise  that  he  could  have  mistaken  her 
language  for  more  than  the  usual  acknowledg 
ment  of  errors,  that  are  admitted  to  be  common 
to  our  lost  nature.  In  this  particular  the  woman 
was  in  no  respect  singular ;  the  greater  number 
of  those  who  are  loudest  in  their  confessions  and 
denunciations  on  the  abandoned  nature  of  our 
hearts,  commonly  resenting,  in  the  deepest  man 
ner,  the  imputation  of  individual  offences.  The 
inure  earnest  and  pressing  his  inquiries  became, 
the  more  wary  she  grew,  until  disgusted  with  her 
pertinacity,  and  secretly  suspecting  her  of  foul 
play  with  her  lodger,  he  left  the  house  in  anger, 
determining  to  keep  a  close  eye  on  her  move 
ments,  and,  at  a  suitable  moment,  to  strike  such 
a  blow  as  should  bring  her  not  only  to  confession, 
but  to  shame. 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  215 

Under  the  influence  of  this  momentary  resent 
ment,  and  unable  to  avoid  harboring  the  most 
unpleasant  suspicions  of  his  aunt,  the  young 
man  determined,  that  very  morning,  to  with 
draw  himself  entirely,  as  a  guest,  from  her 
dwelling.  Mrs.  Lechmere,  who,  if  she  knew  at  all 
that  Lionel  had  been  a  witness  of  her  inter 
course  with  Ralph,  must  have  received  the  in 
telligence  from  Abigail,  received  him,  at  break 
fast,  with  a  manner  that  betrayed  no  such  con 
sciousness.  She  listened  to  his  excuses  for  re 
moving,  with  evident  concern;  and  more  than 
once,  as  Lionel  spoke  of  the  probable  nature  of 
his  future  life,  now  that  hostilities  had  com 
menced — the  additional  trouble  his  presence 
would  occasion  to  her  habits  and  years — of  his 
great  concern  in  her  behalf — and,  in  short,  of  all 
that  he  could  devise  in  the  way  of  apology  for 
the  step,  he  saw  her  eyes  turned  anxiously  on 
Cecil,  with  an  expression  which,  at  another  time, 
might  have  led  him  to  distrust  the  motives  of  her 
hospitality.  The  young  lady  herself,  however, 
evidently  heard  the  proposal  with  great  satisfac 
tion,  and  when  her  grandmother  appealed  to  her 
opinion,  whether  he  had  urged  a  single  good  rea 
son  for  the  measure,  she  answered  with  a  vivacity 
that  had  been  a  stranger  to  her  manner  of  late — 

"  Certainly,  my  dear  grandrnama — the  best  of 
all  reasons — his  inclinations.  Major  Lincoln  tires 
of  us,  and  of  our  hum-drum  habits,  and,  in  my 
eyes,  true  politeness  requires  that  we  should  suf- 
ferhim  to  leave  us  for  his  barracks,  without  a  word 
of  remonstrance." 

"  My  motive  must  be  greatly  mistaken,  if  a 
desire  to  leave  you — " 

u  Oh  !  sir,  the  explanation  is  not  required. 
You  have  urged  so  many  reasons,  cousin  Lionel, 
that  the  true  and  moving  motive  is  yet  kept  be- 


210  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

hind  the  curtain.  It  must,  and  can  be  no  other 
than  ennui" 

"  Then  I  will  remain."  said  Lionel;  "  for  any 
thing  is  better  than  to  be  suspected  of  insensi 
bility." 

Cecil  looked  both  gratified  and  disappointed — 
she  played  with  her  spoon  a  moment  in  embar 
rassment,  bit  her  beautiful  lip  with  vexation,  and 
then  said,  in  a  more  friendly  tone — 

"  I  must  then  exonerate  you  from  the  imputa 
tion — go  to  your  own  quarters,  if  it  be  agree 
able,  and  we  will  believe  your  incomprehensible 
reasons  for  the  change — besides,  as  a  kinsman, 
we  shall  see  you  every  day,  you  know." 

Lionel  had  now  no  longer  any  excuse  for  not 
abiding  by  his  avowed  determination  ;  and  not 
withstanding  Mrs.  Lechmere  parted  from  her 
interesting  nephew  with  an  exhibition  of  reluc 
tance  that  was  in  singular  contrast  with  her  usually 
cold  and  formal  manner,  the  desired  removal 
was  made  in  the  course  of  that  very  morning. 

When  this  change  was  accomplished,  week  after 
week  slipped  by,  in  the  manner  related  in  the 
preceding  chapter,  during  which  the  reinforce 
ments  continued  to  arrive,  and  general  after  gene 
ral  appeared  in  the  place  to  support  the  unenter 
prising  Gage  in  the  conduct  of  the  war.  The 
timid  amongst  the  colonists  were  appalled  as  they 
heard  the  long  list  of  proud  and  boasted  names  re 
counted.  There  was  Howe,  a  man  spftmg  from  a 
noble  race,  long  known  for  their  deeds  in  arms, 
and  whose  chief  had  already  shed  his  blood  on 
the  soil  of  America.  Clinton,  another  cadet  of 
an  illustrious  house,  better  known  for  his  personal 
intrepidity  and  domestic  kindness,  than  for  the 
rough  qualities  of  the  warrior.  And  the  elegant 
and  accomplished  Burgoyne,  who  had  already 
purchased  a  name  in  the  fields  of  Portugal  and 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  217 

Germany,  which  he  was  destined  soon  to  lose  in  the 
wilds  of  America.  In  addition  to  these  might  be 
mentioned  Pigot,  Grant,  Robertson,  and  the  heir 
of  Northumberland,  each  of  whom  led  a  brigade 
in  the  cause  of  his  prince;  besides  a  host  of  men 
of  lesser  note,  who  had  passed  their  youth  in  arms, 
and  were  now  about  to  bring  their  experience  to 
the  field,  in  opposition  to  the  untrained  husband 
men  of  the  plains  of  New-England.  As  if  this 
list  were  not  sufficient  to  overwhelm  their  in 
experienced  adversaries,  the  pride  of  arms  had 
gathered  many  of  the  young  among  the  noble 
and  chivalric  in  the  British  empire,  to  the  point 
on  which  all  eyes  were  turned,  amongst  whom 
the  one  who  afterwards  added  the  fairest  wreath 
to  the  laurels  of  his  ancestors,  was  the  joint  heir 
of  Hastings  and  Moira,  the  gallant  but,  as  yet, 
untried  boy  of  Rawdon.  Amongst  such  com 
panions,  many  of  whom  had  been  his  associates 
in  England,  the  hours  of  Lionel  passed  swiftly 
by,  leaving  him  but  little  leisure  to  meditate  on 
those  causes  which  had  brought  him  also  to  the 
scene  of  contention. 

One  warm  evening,  towards  the  middle  of 
June,  Lionel  became  a  witness  of  the  following 
scene,  through  the  open  doers  which  communi 
cated  between  his  private  apartment  and  the 
room  which  Polvvarth  had  dedicated  to  what  he 
called  "  the  knowing  mess."  M'Fuse  was  seated 
at  a  table,  with  a  ludicrous  air  of  magisterial 
authority,  while  Polwarth  held  a  station  at  his 
side,  which  appeared  to  partake  of  the  double 
duties  of  a  judge  and  a  scribe.  Before  this  for 
midable  tribunal  Seth  Sage  was  arraigned,  as  it 
would  seem,  to  answer  for  certain  offences  al 
leged  to  have  been  committed  in  the  field  of  bat 
tle.  Ignorant  that  his  landlord  had  not  received 

VOL.  i.  20 


218  LIONEL  LINCOLN. 

the  benefit  of  the  late  exchange,  and  curious  to 
know  what  all  the  suppressed  roguery  he  could 
detect  in  the  demure  countenances  of  his  friends 
might  signify,  Lionel  dropped  his  pen,  and  listen 
ed  to  the  succeeding  dialogue. 

"  Now  answer  to  your  offences,  thou  silly  fel 
low,  with  a  wise  name,"  M'Fnse  commenced,  in 
a  voice  that  did  not  fail,  by  its  harsh  cadences, 
to  create  some  of  that  awe,  which,  by  the  ex- 

Eression  of  the  speaker's  eye,  it  would  seem  he 
iboured  to  produce — "  speak  out  with  the  free 
dom  of  a  man,  and  the  compunctions  of  a  Chris 
tian,  if  you  have  them.  Why  should  I  not  send 
you  at  once  to  Ireland,  that  ye  may  get  your  de 
serts  on  three  pieces  of  timber,  the  one  being  laid 
cross-wise  for  the  sake  of  convenience.  If  yon 
have  a  contrary  reason,  bestow  it  without  delay, 
for  the  love  you  bear  your  own  angular  dai- 
formities." 

The  wags  did  not  altogether  fail  in  their  ob 
ject,  Seth  betraying  a  good  deal  more  uneasiness 
than  it  was  usual  for  the  man  to  exhibit  even  in 
situations  of  uncommon  peril.  After  clearing  his 
throat,  and  looking  about  him,  to  gather  from  the 
eyes  of  the  spectators  which  way  their  sympa 
thies  inclined,  he  answered  with  a  very  commen 
dable  fortitude — 

"  Because  it's  ag'in  all  law." 

"  Have  done  with  your  interminable  perplexi 
ties  of  the  law,"  cried  M'Fuse,  "and  do  not 
bother  honest  gentlemen  with  its  knavery,  as  if 
they  were  no  more  than  so  many  proctors  in  big 
wigs!  'tis  the  gospel  you  should  be  thinking  of, 
you  godless  reprobate,  on  account  of  that  final 
end  you  will  yet  make,  one  day,  in  a  most  in 
decent  hurry." 

"To  your  purpose,  Mac,"  interrupted  Pd- 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  219 

warth,  who  perceived  that  the  erratic  feelings  of 
his  friend  were  beginning  already  to  lead  him 
from  the  desired  point ;  "  or  I  will  propound 
the  matter  myself,  in  a  style  that  would  do  cre 
dit  to  a  mandamus  counsellor." 

"  The  mandamuses  are  all  ag'in  the  charter, 
and  the  law  too,"  continued  Seth,  whose  courage 
increased  as  the  dialogue  bore  more  directly  upon 
his  political  principles — "and  to  my  mind  it's 
quite  convincing  that  if  ministers  calculate  largely 
on  upholding  them,  there  will  be  great  disturb 
ances,  if  not  a  proper  fight  in  the  land ;  for  the 
whole  country  is  in  a  blaze !" 

"  Disturbances,  thou  immoveable  iniquity ! 
thou  quiet  assassin  !"  roared  M'Fuse ;  "  do  ye 
not  call  a  fight  of  a  day  a  disturbance,  or  do  ye 
tar'm  skulking  be«hind  fences,  and  laying  the 
muzzle  of  a  musket  on  the  head  of  Job  Pray, 
and  the  breech  on  a  mullen-stalk,  while  ye  draw 
upon  a  fellow-creature,  a  commendable  method 
of  fighting  !  •  Now  answer  me  to  the  truth,  and 
disdain  all  lying,  as  ye  would  'aling  any  thing 
but  cod  on  a  Saturday,  who  were  ,the  two  men 
that  fired  into  my  very  countenance,  from  the 
unfortunate  situation  among  the  mullens  that  I 
have  datailed  to  you  f" 

"  Pardon  me,  captain  M'Fuse,"  said  Polwarth, 
"  if  I  say  that  your  zeal  and  indignation  run 
ahead  of  your  discretion.  If  we  alarm  the  pri 
soner  in  this  manner,  we  may  defeat  the  ends  of 
justice.  Besides,  sir,  there  is  a  reflection  con 
tained  in  your  language,  to  which  I  must  dissent. 
A  real  dumb  is  not  to  be  despised,  especially  when, 
served  up  in  wrapper,  and  between  two  coarser 
fish  to  preserve  the  steam — I  have  had  my  private 
meditations  on  the  subject  of  getting  up  a  Sa 
turday's  club,  in  order  to  enjoy  the  bounty 


220  LIONEL    LINCOLST, 

of  the  Bay,  and  for  -improving  the  cookery  of 
the  cod  !"(£?- 

"  And  let  me  tell  you,  captain  Polwarth,"  re 
turned  the  grenadier,  cocking  his  eye  fiercely  at 
the  other,  "  that  your  epicurean  propensities  lead 
you  to  the  verge  of  cannibalism  ;  for  sure  it  may 
be  called  that,  when  you  speak  of 'ating  while  the 
life  of  a  fellow  cr'ature  is  under  a  discussion  for 
its  termination — " 

"  I  conclude,"  interrupted  Seth,  who  was  great 
ly  averse  to  all  quarreling,  and  who  thought  he 
saw  the  symptoms  of  a  breach  between  his 
judges,  "  the  captain  wishes  to  know  who  the 
two  men  were  that  fired  on  him  a  short  time  be 
fore  he  got  the  "hit  in  the  shoulder  ?" 

"  A  short  time,  ye  marvellous  hypocrite  ! — 
'twas  as  quick  as  pop  and  slap  could  make  it." 

"Perhaps  there  might  be  some  mistake,  for  a 
great  many  of  the  troops  were  much  disguised — " 

"  Do  ye  insinuate  that  I  got  drunk  before  the 
enemies  of  my  king !"  roared  the  grenadier — 
"Harkye,  Mister  Sage,  1  ask  you  in  a  genteel  way, 
who  the  two  men  were  that  fired  on  me,  in  the 
manner  datailed,  and  remember  that  a  man  may 
tire  of  putting  questions  which  are  never  answer 
ed?" 

"  Why,"  returned  Seth,  who,  however  expert 
at  prevarication,  eschewed  with  religious  hor 
ror,  a  direct  lie — "  I  pretty  much  conclude  that 
they — the  captain  is  sure  the  place  he  means  was 
just  beyond  Menotomy  f " 

O"  NOTE. — It  may  be  a  fit  matter  of  inquiry  for  the  anti 
quarian,  to  learn  whether  the  captain  ever  put  his  project  in 
execution  ;  and  if  so,  whether  he  has  not  the  merit  of  founding1 
that  famous  association,  which,  to  this  hour,  maintains  the  Ca 
tholic  custom  of  the  East,  by  feasting  on  the  last  day  of  the 
week  on  the  staple  of  New-England ;  and  which  is  said  to  as 
semble  regularly,  with  much  good-fellowship,  around  moregoort 
wine  than  is  ever  encountered  at  any  other  board  in  the  known*, 
world. 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  221 

"  As  sure  as  men  can  be,"  said  Polwarth,  "  who 
possess  the  use  of  their  eyes." 

"  Then  captain  Pohvarth  can  give  testimony 
to  the  fact  ?" 

"  I  believe  Major  Lincoln's  horse  carries  a  small 
bit  of  your  lead  to  this  moment,  Master  Sage." 

Seth  yielded  to  this  accumulation  of  evidence 
against  him,  and  knowing,  moreover,  that  the 
grenadier  had  literally  made  him  a  prisoner  in  the 
fact  of  renewing  his  fire,  he  sagaciously  deter 
mined  to  make  a  merit  of  necessity,  and  can 
didly  to  acknowledge  his  agency  in  inflicting  the 
wounds.  The  utmost,  however,  that  his  cautious 
habits  would  permit  him  to  say,  was — 

"  Seeing  there  can't  well  be  any  mistake,  I  seem 
to  think,  the  two  me.n  were  chiefly  Job  and  I." 

"  Chaifly,  you  lath  of  uncertainty  !"  exclaimed 
M'Fuse;  "if  there  was  any  chaif  in  that  coward 
ly  assassination  of  wounding  a  Christian,  and  of 
also  hurting  a  horse,  which,  though  nothing  but 
a  dumb  baste,  has  better  blood  than  runs  in  your 
own  beggarly  veins,  'twas  your  own  ugly  propor 
tions.  But  I  rejoice  that  you  have  come  to  the 
confessional ! — I  can  now  see  you  hung  with  fe 
licity — if  you  have  any  thing  to  say,  urge  it 
at  once,  why  I  should  not  embark  you  for  Ire 
land  by  the  first  vessel,  in  a  letter  to  my  Lord- 
Lieutenant,  with  a  request  that  he'll  give  you  am 
early  procession,  and  a  dacent  funeral." 

Seth  belonged  to  a  class  of  his  countrymen, 
amongst  whom,  while  there  was  a  superabund 
ance  of  ingenuity,  there  was  literally  no  joke. 
Deceived  by  the  appearance  of  anger  which  had 
in  reality  blended  with  the  assumed  manner  of  the 
grenadier,  as  he  dwelt  upon  the  irritating  subject 
of  his  own  injuries,  the  belief  of  the  prisoner  in  the 
sacred  protection  of  the  laws  became  much  sha 
ken,  and  he  began  to  reflect  very  seriously  on  the 

20* 


222  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

insecurity  of  the  times,  as  well  as  on  the  despotic 
nature  of  the  military  power.  The  little  humour 
he  had  inherited  from  his  puritan  ancestors,  was, 
though  exceedingly  quaint,  altogether  after  a  dif 
ferent  fashion  from  the  off-hand,  blundering  wit  o( 
the  Irishman  ;  and  that  manner  which  he  did  not 
possess,  he  could  not  entirely  comprehend,  so  that 
as  far  as  a  very  visible  alarm  furthered  the  views 
of  the  two  conspirators,  they  were  quite  successful. 
Polwarth  now  took  pity  on  his  evident  embarrass 
ment,  and  observed,  with  a  careless  manner — 

"  Perhaps  I  can  make  a  proposal  by  which 
Mr.  Sage  may  redeem  his  neck  from  the  halter, 
«nd  at  the  same  time  essentially  serve  an  old 
friend." 

"  Hear  ye  that,  thou  confounder  of  men  and 
bastes  !"  cried  M'Fuse — "  down  on  your  knees, 
and  thank  Mr.  Paiter  Polwarth  for  the  charity  of 
his  insinuation." 

Seth  was  not  displeased  to  hear  such  amicable 
intentions  announced ;  but  habitually  cautious  in 
all  bargaining,  he  suppressed  the  exhibition  of  his 
satisfaction,  and  said,  with  an  air  of  deliberation 
that  would  have  done  credit  to  the  keenest  trader 
in  King-street — that  "  he  should  like  to  hear  the 
terms  of  the  agreement,  before  he  gave  his  con 
clusion." 

"  They  are  simply  these,"  returned  Polwarth — 
"  you  shall  receive  your  passports  and  freedom 
to-night,  on  condition  that  you  sign  this  bond, 
whereby  you  will  become  obliged  to  supply  our 
omess,  as  usual,  during  the  time  the  place  is  in 
vested,  with  certain  articles  of  food  and  nourish 
ment,  as  herein  set  forth,  and  according  to  the 
prices  mentioned,  which  the  veriest  Jew  in 
Duke's-place  would  pronounce  to  be  liberal. 
Here  ;  take  the  instrument,  and  '  read,  and  mark/ 
in  order  that  we  may  '  inwardly  digest.'  " 


LIONEL    LIKCOLS.  223 

Seth  took  the  paper,  and  gave  it  that  man 
ner  of  investigation  that  he  was  wont  to  be 
stow  on  every  thing  which  affected  his  pecunia 
ry  interests.  He  objected  to  the  price  of  every 
article,  all  of  which  were  altered  in  compliance 
with  his  obstinate  resistance,  and  he  moreover 
insisted  that  a  clause  should  be  inserted  to  ex 
onerate  him  from  the  penalty,  provided  the  inter 
course  should  be  prohibited  by  the  authorities  of 
the  colony  ;  after  which,  he  continued — 

"  If  the  captain  will  agree  to  take  charge  of 
the  things,  and  become  liable,  I  will  conclude 
to  make  the  trade." 

"  Here  is  a  fellow  who  wants  boot  in  a  bargain 
for  his  life  !"  cried  the  grenadier ;  "  but  we  will 
humour  his  covetous  inclinations,  Polly,  and  take 
charge  of  the  chattels.  Captain  Polwarth  and 
myself,  pledge  our  words  to  their  safe-keeping. 
Let  me  run  my  eyes  over  the  articles,"  con 
tinued  the  grenadier,  looking  very  gravely  at  the 
several  covenants  of  the  bond — "  faith,  Paiter, 
you  have  bargained  for  a  goodly  larder  !  Baif, 
mutton,  pigs,  turnips,  potatos,  melons,  and  other 
fruits — there's  a  blunder,  now,  that  would  keep 
an  English  mess  on  a  grin  for  a  month,  if  an 
Irishman  had  made  it !  as  if  a  melon  was  a  fruit, 
and  a  potato  was  not !  The  devil  a  word  do  I  see 
that  you  have  said  about  a  mouthful,  except 
aitables  either!  Here,  fellow,  clap  your  learning 
to  it,  and  I'll  warrant  you  we  yet  get  a  meal  out 
of  it,  in  some  manner  or  other." 

"  Wouldn't  it  be  as  well  to  put  the  last  agree 
ment  in  the  writings,  too,"  said  Seth,  "  in  case 
•f  accidents  ?" 

"Hear  how  a  knave  halters  himself!"  cried 
M'Fuse ;  "  he  has  the  individual  honour  of  two 
captains  of  foot,  and  is  willing  to  exchange  it  for 
their  joint  bond !  The  request  is  too  raisouable  to 


224  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

be  denied,  Polly,  and  we  should  be  guilty  of  pe 
cuniary  suicide  to  reject  it ;  so  place  a  small  arti 
cle  at  the  bottom,  explanatory  of  the  mistake  the 
gentleman  has  fallen  into." 

PoUvarth  did  not  hesitate  to  comply,  and  in  a 
very  few  minutes  every  thing  was  arranged  to 
the  perfect  satisfaction  of  the  parties,  the  two  sol 
diers  felicitating  themselves  on  the  success  of  a 
scheme  which  seemed  to  avert  the  principal  evils 
of  the  leaguer  from  their  own  mess ;  and  Seth, 
finding  no  difficulty  in  complying  with  an  agree 
ment  which  was  likely  to  prove  so  profitable, 
however  much  he  doubted  its  validity  in  a  court 
of  justice.  The  prisoner  was  now  declared  at  li 
berty,  and  was  advised  to  make  his  way  out  of 
the  place,  with  as  little  noise  as  possible,  and  un 
der  favour  of  the  pas?  he  held.  Seth  gave  the  bond 
a  last  and  most  attentive  perusal,  and  then  depart 
ed,  well  contented  to  abide  by  its  conditions,  and 
not  a  little  pleased  to  escape  from  the  grenadier, 
the  expression  of  whose  half-comic,  half-serious 
eye,  occasioned  him  more  perplexity  than  any  other 
subject  which  had  ever  before  occupied  his  as 
tuteness.  After  the  disappearance  of  the  prison 
er,  the  two  worthies  repaired  to  their  nightly  ban 
quet,  laughing  heartily  at  the  success  of  their  no 
table  invention. 

Lionel  suffered  Seth  to  pass  from  the  room, 
without  speaking,  but  as  the  man  left  his  own 
abode  with  a  lingering  and  doubtful  step,  the 
young  soldier  followed  him  into  the  street,  with 
out  communicating  to  any  one  that  he  had  wit 
nessed  what  had  passed,  with  the  laudable  inten 
tion  of  adding  his  own  personal  pledge  for  the  se 
curity  of  the  household  goods  in  question.  He, 
however,  found  it  no  easy  achievement  to  equal 
the  speed. of  a  man  who  had  just  escaped  from 
a  long  confinement,  and  who  now  appeared 


LIONEL  LINCOLSf.  225 

inclined  to  indulge  his  limbs  freely  in  the  pleasure 
of  an  unlimited  exercise.  The  velocity  of  Seth 
continued  unabated,  until  he  had  conducted  Lio 
nel  far  into  the  lower  parts  of  the  town,  where  the 
latter  perceived  him  to  encounter  a  man  with 
whom  he  turned  suddenly  under  an  arch  which 
led  into  a  dark  and  narrow  court.  Lionel  instant 
ly  increased  his  speed,  and  as  he  entered  beneath 
the  passage,  he  caught  a  glimpse  of  the  lank  figure 
of  the  object  of  his  pursuit,  gliding  through  the 
opposite  entrance  to  the  court,  and,  at  the  same 
moment,  he  encountered  the  man  who  had  ap 
parently  induced  the  deviation  in  his  route.  As 
Lionel  stepped  a  little  on  one  side,  the  light  of  a 
lamp  fell  full  on  the  form  of  the  other,  and  he  re 
cognised  the  person  of  the  active  leader  of  the 
caucus,  (as  the  political  meeting  he  had  attended 
was  called,)  though  so  disguised  and  muffled,  that, 
but  for  the  accidental  opening  of  the  folds  of  his 
cloak,  the  unknown  might  have  passed  his  near 
est  friend  without  discovery. 

"  We  meet  again  !"  exclaimed  Lionel,  in  the 
quickness  of  surprise  ;  "  though  it  would  seem 
that  the  sun  is  never  to  shine  on  our  interviews." 

The  stranger  started,  arid  betrayed  an  evident 
wish  to  continue  his  walk,  as  though  the  other 
had  mistaken  his  person ;  then,  as  if  sudden 
ly  recollecting  himself,  he  turned  and  approach 
ed  Lionel,  with  easy  dignity,  and  answered — 

"  The  third  time  is  said  to  contain  the  charm  ! 
I  am  happy  to  find  that  I  meet  Major  Lincoln, 
unharmed,  after  the  dangers  he  so  lately  en 
countered." 

"  The  dangers  have  probably  been  exaggera 
ted  by  those  who  wish  ill  to  the  cause  of  our 
master,"  returned  Lionel,  coldly. 

There  was  a  calm,  but  proud  smile  on  the  face 
of  the  stranger,  as  he  replied — 


226  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

"  I  shall  not  dispute  the  information  of  one  who 
bore  so  conspicuous  a  part  in  the  deeds  of  that 
day — still  you  will  remember,  though  the  march 
to  Lexington  was,  like  our  own  accidental  ren 
contres,  in  the  dark,  that  a  bright  sun  shone  upon 
the  retreat,  and  nothing  has  been  hid." 

"  Nothing  need  be  concealed,"  replied  Lionel, 
nettled  by  the  proud  composure  of  the  other — 
"unless,  indeed,  the  man  I  address  is  afraid  to 
walk  the  streets  of  Boston  in  open  day." 

"  The  man  you  address,  Major  Lincoln,"  said 
the  stranger,  advancing  in  his  warmth  a  step  near 
er  to  Lionel,  "has  dared  to  walk  the  streets  of  Bos 
ton  both  by  day  and  by  night,  when  the  bullies  of 
him  you  call  your  master,  have  strutted  their 
hour  in  the  security  of  peace  ;  and -now  a  nation 
is  up  to  humble  their  pretensions,  shall  he  shrink 
from  treading  his  native  soil  when  he  will !" 

"  This  is  btffir  language  for  an  enemy  within  a 
British  camp  !  Ask  yourself  what  course  my  duty 
requires  of  me  .?" 

"  That  is  a  question  which  lies  between  Major 
Lincoln  and  his  conscience,"  returned  the  stran 
ger — "  though,"  he  added,  after  a  momentary 
pause,  and  in  a  milder  tone,  as  if  he  recollect 
ed  the  danger  of  his  situation — "  the  gentle 
men  of  his  name  and  lineage  were  not  apt  to  be 
informers,  when  they  dwelt  in  the  land  of  their 
birth." 

"  Neither  is  their  descendant.  But  let  this  be 
the  last  of  our  interviews,  until  we  can  meet  as 
friends,  or  as  enemies  should,  where  we  may  dis 
cuss  these  topics  at  the  points  of  our  weapons." 

"  Amen,"  said  the  stranger,  seizing  the  hand  of 
the  young  man,  and  pressing  it  with  the  warmth 
of  a  generous  emulation — "  that  hour  may  not  be 
far  distant,  and  may  God  smile  only  on  the  just 
cause." 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  227 

Without  uttering  more,  he  drew  the  folds  of  his 
dress  more  closely  around  his  form,  and  walked 
so  swiftly  away  that  Lionel,  bad  he  possessed 
the  inclination,  could  not  have  found  an  opportu 
nity  to  arrest  his  progress.  As  all  expectation 
of  overtaking  Seth  was  now  lost,  the  young 
soldier  returned  slowly  and  thoughtfully  towards 
his  quarters. 

The  two  or  three  succeeding  days  were  distin 
guished  by  an  appearance  of  more  than  usual  pre 
paration  among  the  troops,  and  it  became  known 
that  officers  of  rank  had  closely  reconnoitred 
the  grounds  of  the  opposite  peninsula.  Lionel 
patiently  awaited  the  progress  of  events;  but  as 
the  probability  of  active  service  increased,  his 
wishes  to  make  another  effort  to  probe  the  se 
cret  of  the  tenant  of  the  warehouse  revived,  and 
he  took  his  way  towards  the  dock-square,  with 
that  object,  on  the  night  of  the  fourth  day  from 
the  preceding  interview  with  the  stranger.  It 
was  long  after  thf  tattoo  had  laid  the  town  in  that 
deep  quiet  which  follows  the  bustle  of  a  garrison  ; 
and  as  he  passed  along  he  saw  none  but  the 
sentinels  pacing  their  short  limits,  or  an  occa 
sional  officer,  returning  at  that  late  hour  from  his 
revels  or  his  duty.  The  windows  of  the  ware 
house  were  dark,  and  its  inhabitants,  if  any  it 
had,  were  wrapped  in  deep  sleep.  Restless, 
and  excited,  Lionel  pursued  his  walk  through  the 
narrow  and  gloomy  streets  of  the  North-end, 
until  he  unexpectedly  found  himself  issuing  upon 
the  open  space  that  is  tenanted  by  the  dead,  on. 
Copp's-hill.  On  this  eminence  the  English  gene 
ral  had  caused  a  battery  of  heavy  cannon  to  be 
raised,  and  Lionel,  unwilling  to  encounter  the 
challenge  of  the  sentinels,  inclining  a  little  to  one 
side,  proceeded  to  the  brow  of  the  hill,  and  seat- 


228  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

ing  himself  on  a  stone,  began  to  muse  deeply  on 
his  own  fortunes,  and  the  situation  of  the  country. 
The  night  was  obscure,  but  the  thin  vapours 
which  appeared  to  overhang  the  place  opened 
at  times,  when  a  faint  star-light  fell  from  the  hea 
vens,  and  rendered  the  black  hulls  of  the  vessels 
of  war  that  lay  moored  before  the  town,  and  the 
faint  outlines  of  the  opposite  shores,  dimly  vi 
sible.  The  stillness  of  midnight  rested  on  the 
scene,  and  when  the  loud  calls  of  "  all's-well" 
ascended  from  the  ships  and  batteries,  the  mo 
mentary  cry  was  succeeded  by  a  quiet  as  deep  as 
if  the  universe  slumbered  under  this  assurance 
of  safety.  At  such  an  instant,  when  even  the 
light  breathings  of  the  night  air  were  audible, 
the  sound  of  rippling  waters,  like  that  occasioned 
by  raising  a  paddle  with  extreme  caution,  was 
borne  to  the  ear  of  the  young  soldier.  He  listen 
ed  intently,  and  then  bending  his  eyes  in  the  direc 
tion  of  the  faint  sounds,  he  saw  a  small  canoe  glid 
ing  along  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  and  soon 
shoot  upon  the  gravelly  shore,  at  the  foot  of  the 
hill,  with  a  motion  so  easy  and  uniform  as  scarce 
ly  to  curl  a  wave  on  the  land.  Curious  to  know  who 
could  be  moving  about  the  harbour  at  this  hour,  in 
such  a  secret  manner,  Lionel  was  in  the  act  of 
rising  to  descend,  when  he  saw  the  dim  figure  of  a 
man  land  from  the  boat,  and  climb  the  hill,  direct 
ly  in  a  line  with  his  own  position.  Suppressing 
even  the  sounds  of  his  breath,  and  drawing  his  bo 
dy  back  within  the  deep  shadow  cast  from  a  point 
of  the  hill,  a  little  above  him,  Lionel  waited  until 
the  figure  had  approached  within  ten  feet  of  him, 
when  it  stopped,  and  appeared,  like  himself,  to 
be  endeavouring  to  suppress  all  other  sounds  and 
feelings  in  the  absorbing  act  of  deep  attention. 
The  young  soldier  loosened  his  sword  in  its 
sheath,  before  he  said — 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  229 

"  We  have  chosen  a  private  spot,  and  a  secret 
hour,  sir,  for  our  meditations!" 

Had  the  figure  possessed  the  impalpable  nature 
of  an  immaterial  being,  it  could  not  have  received 
this  remark,  so  startling  from  its  suddenness,  with 
greater  apathy  than  did  the  man  to  whom  it  was 
addressed.  He  turned  slowly  towards  the  speaker, 
and  seemed  to  look  at  him  earnestly,  before  he 
answered,  in  a  low,  menacing  voice — 

"  There's  a  granny  on  the  hill,  with  a  gun  and 
baggonet,  walking  among  the  cannon,  and  if  he 
hears  people  talking  down  here,  he'll  make  them 
prisoners,  though  one  of  them  should  be  Major 
Lincoln." 

"  Ha!  Job,"  said  Lionel — "  and  is  it  you  I  meet 
prowling  about  like  a  thief  at  night ! — on  what 
errand  of  mischief  have  you  been  sent  this  time?" 

"  If  Job's  a  thief  for  roming  to  see  the  graves 
on  Copp's,"  returned  the  lad  sullenly,  "  there's 
two  of  them." 

"  Well  answered  boy !"  said  Lionel,  with  a. 
smile  ;  "  but  I  repeat,  on  what  errand  have  you 
returned  to  the  town  at  this  unseasonable  and 
suspicious  hour  f " 

"Job  loves  to  come  up  among  the  graves,  be 
fore  the  cocks  grow  ;  they  say  the  dead  walk 
when  living  men  sleep." 

"  And  would  you  hold  communion  with  the 
dead,  then  ?" 

"  'Tis  sinful  to  ask  them  many  questions,  and 
such  as  you  do  put  should  be  made  in  the  Holy 
name,"  returned  the  lad,  in  a  tone  so  solemn,  that, 
connected  with  the  place  and  the  scene,  it  caused 
the  blood  of  Lionel  to  thriJJ — "  but  Job  loves 
to  be  near  them,  to  use  him  to  the  damps, 
ag'in  the  time  he  shall  be  called  to  walk  himself 
in  a  sheet  at  midnight." 

VOL.  t.  *1 


230  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

"  Hush  !"  said  Lionel — "  what  noise  is  that  r" 

Job  stood  a  moment,  listening  as  intently  as  his 
companion,  before  he  answered — 

"  There's  no  noise  but  the  moaning  of  the  wind 
in  the  bay,  or  the  sea  tumbling  on  the  beaches  of 
the  jslands  ?" 

"'Tis  neither,"  said  Lionel ;  "  I  heard  the 
low  hum  of  a  hundred  voices,  or  my  ears  have 
played  me  falsely." 

"  May  be  the  spirits  speak  to  each  other,"  said 
the  lad — "  they  say  their  voices  are  like  the  rush 
ing  winds." 

Lionel  passed  his  hand  across  his  brow,  and 
endeavoured  to  recover  the  tone  of  his  mind, 
which  had  been  strangely  disordered  by  the  so 
lemn  manner  of  his  companion,  and  walked  slow 
ly  from  the  spot,  closely  attended  by  the  silent 
changeling.  He  did  not  stop  until  he  had  reach 
ed  the  inner  angle  of  the  wall  that  enclosed  the 
field  of  the  dead,  when  he  paused,  and  leaning  on 
the  fence,  again  listened  intently. 

"  Boy,  I  know  not  how  your  silly  conversation 
may  have  warped  my  brain,"  he  said,  "  but  there 
are  surely  strange  and  unearthly  sounds  lingering 
about  this  place,  to-night !  By  heavens!  there  is 
another  rush  of  voices,  as  if  the  air  above  the  wa 
ter  were. filled  with  living  beings  ;  and  then  again, 
I  think  I  hear  a  noise  as  if  heavy  weights  were 
falling  to  the  earth  !" 

"  Ay."  said  Job,  "  'tis  the  clods  on  the  coffins ; 
the  dead  are  going  into  their  graves  ag'in,  and 
'tis  time  that  we  should  leave  them  their  own 
grounds." 

Lionel  hesitated  n£  longer,  but  he  rather  run 
than  walked  from  the  spot,  with  a  secret  horror 
that,  at  another  moment,  he  would  have  blushed  to 
acknowledge,  nor  did  he  perceive  that  he  was  still 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  231 

attended  by  Job,  until  he  had  descended  some  dis 
tance  down  Lynn -street.  Here  he  was  address 
ed  by  his  companion,  in  his  usually  quiet  and  un 
meaning  tones — 

"  There's  the  house  that  the  governor  built 
who  went  down  into  the  sea -for  money!"  he 
said — v'he  was  a  poor  boy  once,  like  Job,  and 
now  they  say  his  grandson  is  a  gre  at  lord,  and 
the  king  knighted  the  grand'tht-r  too.  It's 
pretty  much  the  same  thing  whether  a  man 
gets  his  money  out  of  the  sea  or  out  of  the 
earth  ;  the  king  will  make  him  a  lord  for  it." 

"  You  hold  the  favours  of  royalty  cheap,  fel 
low,"  returned  Lionel,  glancing  his  eye  carelessly 
at  the  '  Phipp's  house,'  as  he  passed — "you  for 
get  that  I  am  to  be  some  day  one  of  your  despised 
knights!" 

"  I  know  it,"  said  Job  ;  "  and  you  come  from 
America  too — it  seems  to  me  that  all  the  poor 
boys  go  from 'America  to  the  king  to  be  great 
lords,  and  all  the  sons  of  the  great  lords  come  to 
America  to  be  made  poor  boys — Nab  says  Job 
is  the  son  of  a  great  lord  too !" 

"Then  Nab  is  as  great  a.  fool  as  her  child," 
said  Lionel ;  "  but  boy,  I  would  see  your  mother 
in  the  morning,  and  I  expect  you  to  let  me  know 
at  what  hour  I  may  visit  her." 

Job  did  not  answer,  and  Lionel,  on  turning 
his  head,  perceived  that  he  was  suddenly  deserted 
by  the  changeling,  who  was  already  gliding  back 
towards  his  favourite  haunt  among  the  graves. 
Vexed  at  the  wild  humours  of  the  lad,  Lionel 
hastened  to  his  quarters,  and  threw  himself  in 
his,  bed,  though  he  heard  the  loud  cries  of  "  all's 
well,"  again  and  again,  before  the  strange  phan 
tasies  which  continued  to  cross  his  mind  would 
permit  him  to  obtain  the  rest  he  sought. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

<c  We  arc  finer  gentlemen,  no  doubt,  than  the  plain  farmers 
•''  we  are  about  to  encounter.  Our  hats  carry  a  smarter  cock, 
"  our  swords  hang  more  gracefully  by  our  sides,  and  we  make 
"  an  easier  figure  in  a  ball-room  ;  hut  let  it  be  remembered. 
"  that  the  most  finished  maccaroni  amongst  us,  would  pass  for 
"  an  arrant  clown  at  Pekin." 

Letter  from  a  Veteran  Officer,  tft, 

WHEN  the  heavy  sleep  of  morning  fell  upon  his 
senses,  visions  of  the  past  and  future  mingled  with 
wild  confusion  in  the  dreams  of  the  youthful  sol 
dier.  The  form  of  his  father  stood  before  him,  as 
he  had  known  it  in  his  childhood,  fair  in  the 
proportions  and  vigour  of  manhood,  regarding 
him  with  those  eyes  of  benignant,  but  melancho 
ly  affection,  which  characterized  their  e  xpression 
after  he  had  become  the  sole  joy  of  his  widowed 
parent.  While  his  heart  was  warming  at  the  sight, 
the  figure  melted  away,  and  was  succeeded  by 
fantastic  phantoms,  which  appeared  to  dance 
among  the  graves  on  Copp's,  led  along  in  those 
gambols,  which  partook  of  the  ghastly  horrors  of 
the  dead,  by  Job  Pray,  who  glided  among  the 
tombs  like  a  being  of  another  world.  Sudden  and 
loud  thunder  then  burst  upon  them,  and  the  sha 
dows  fled  into  their  secret  places,  from  whence 
he  could  see,  ever  and  anon,  some  glassy  eyes 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  233 

and  spectral  facess  peering  out  upon  him,  as  If 
conscious  of  the  power  they  possessed  to  chill  the 
blood  of  the  living.  His  visions  now  became 
painfully  distinct,  and  his  gleep  was  oppressed 
with  their  vividness,  when  his  senses  burst  their 
unnatural  bonds,  and  he  awoke.  The  air  of  morn 
ing  was  breathing  through  his  open  curtains,  and 
the  light  of  day  had  already  shed  itself  upon  the 
dusky  roofs  of  the  town.  Lionel  arose  from  his 
bed,  and  had  paced  his  chamber  several  times,  in 
a  vain  effort  to  shake  off  the  images  that  had 
haunted  his  slumbers,  when  the  sounds  which 
broke  upon  the  stillness  of  the  air,  became  too 
plain  to  be  longer  mistaken  by  a  practised  ear. 

"  Ha !"  he  muttered  to  himself,  "  I  have  been 
dreaming  but  by  halves — these  are  the  sounds  of 
no  fancied  tempest,  but  cannon,  speaking  most 
plainly  to  the  soldier!" 

He  opened  his  window,  and  looked  out  upon 
the  surrounding  scene.  The  roar  of  artillery 
was  now  quick  and  heavy,  and  Lionel  bent  his 
eyes  about  him  to  discover  the  cause  of  this  unu 
sual  occurrence.  It  had  been  the  policy  of  Gage 
to  await  the  arrival  of  his  reinforcements,  before 
he  struck  a  blow  which  was  intended  to  be  deci 
sive  ;  and  the  Americans  were  well  known  to 
be  too  scantily  supplied  with  the  munitions  of 
war,  to  waste  a  single  charge  of  powder  in  any  of 
the  vain  attacks  of  modern  sieges.  A  knowledge 
of  these  facts  gave  an  additional  interest  to  the 
curiosity  with  which  Major  Lincoln  endeavoured 
to  penetrate  the  mystery  of  so  singular  a  distur 
bance.  Window  after  window  in  the  adjacent 
buildings  soon  exhibited,  like  his  own,  its  wonder 
ing  and  alarmed  spectator.  Here  and  there  a 
half-dressed  soldier,  or  a  busy  townsman,  was  seen 
hurrying  along  the  silent  streets,  with  steps  that 
denoted  the  eagerness  of  his  curiosity.  Women, 
21* 


234  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

began  to  rush  wildly  from  their  dwellings,  and 
then,  as  the  sounds  broke  on  their  ears  with 
ten-fold  heaviness  in  the  open  air,  they  shrunk 
back  into  their  habitations  in  pallid  dismay.  Lio 
nel  called  to  three  or  four  of  the  men  as  they 
hurried  by,  but  turning  their  eyes  wildly  to 
wards  bis  window,  they  passed  on  without  an 
swering,  as  if  the  emergency  were  too  pressing 
to  admit  of  speech.  Finding  his  repeated  inqui 
ries  fruitless,  he  hastily  dressed  himself,  and  de 
scended  to  the  street.  As  he  left  his  own  door, 
a  half-clad  artillerist  hurried  past  him,  adjusting 
his  garments  with  one  hand,  and  bearing  in  the 
other  some  of  the  lesser  implements  of  the  parti 
cular  corps  in  which  he  served. 

"  What  means  the  firing,  sergeant,"  demanded 
Lionel,  "  and  whither  do  you  hasten  with  those 
fuses  ?" 

"  The  rebels,  your  honour,  the  rebels  !"  return 
ed  the  soldier,  looking  back  to  speak,  without 
ceasing  his  speed ;  "  and  1  go  to  my  guns  !" 

"The  rebels!"  repeated  Lionel — "what  can 
we  have  to  fear,  from  a  mob  of  countrymen,  in 
such  a  position— --that  fellow  has  slept  from  his 
post,  and  apprehensions  for  himself  mingle  with 
this  zeal  for  bis  king  !" 

The  towns-people  now  began  to  pour  from 
their  dwellings  in  scores;  and  Lionel  imilate'd 
their  example,  and  took  his  course  towards  the 
adjacent  height  of  Beacon-hill.  He  toiled  his 
way  up  the  steep  ascent,  in  company  with  twen 
ty  more,  without  exchanging  a  syllable  with  men 
who  appeared  as  much  astonished  as  himself  at 
this  early  interruption  of  their  slumbers,  and  in 
a  few  minutes  he  stood  on  the  little  grassy  plat 
form,  surrounded  by  a  hundred  interested  gazers. 
The  sun  had  just  lifted  the  thin  veil  of  mist  from 
the  bosom  of  the  waters,,  and  the  eye  was  permit- 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  235 

ted  to  range  over  a  wide  field  beneath  the  light 
vapour.  Several  vessels  were  moored  in  the 
channels  of  the  Charles  and  My  stick,  to  cover  the 
northern  approaches  to  the  place  ;  and  as  he  be 
held  the  column  of  white  smoke  that  was  wreath 
ing  about  the  masts  of  a  frigate  among  them,  Lio 
nel  was  no  longer  at  a  loss  to  comprehend  whence 
the  firing  proceeded.  While  he  was  yet  gazing, 
uncertain  of  the  reasons  which  demanded  this 
show  of  war,  immense  fields  of  smoke  burst  from 
the  side  of  a  ship  of  the  line,  who  also  opened 
her  deep-mouthed  cannon,  and  presently  her  ex 
ample  was  followed  by  several  floating  batteries, 
and  lighter  vessels,  until  the  wide  amphitheatre 
of  hills  that  encircled  Boston  were  filled  with  the 
echoes  of  a  hundred  pieces  of  artillery. 

"  What  can  it  mean,  sir  !"  exclaimed  a  young 
officer  of  his  own  regiment,  addressing  Major 
Lincoln — "  the  sailors  are  in  downright  earnest, 
and  they  scale  their  guns  with  shot,  I  know,  by 
the  rattling  of  the  reports  !" 

"  1  can  boast  of  a  vision  no  better  than  your 
own,"  returned  Lionel ;  "  for  no  enemy  can  I 
see.  As  the  guns  seem  pointed  at  the  opposite 
peninsula,  it  Ls  probable  a  party  of  the  Americans 
are  attempting  to  destroy  the  grass  which  lies 
newly  mown  in  the  meadows." 

The  young  officer  was  in  the  act  of  assenting 
to  this  conjecture,  when  a  voice  was  heard  above 
their  heads,  shouting — 

"  There  goes  a  gun  from  Copp's !  They 
needn't  think  to  frighten  the  people  with  their 
rake-helly  noises ;  let  them  blaze  away  till  the 
dead  get  out  of  their  graves — the  Bay-men  will 
keep  the  hill ! 

Every  eye  was  immediately  turned  upward, 
and  the  wondering  and  amused  spectators  disco 
vered  Job  Pray,  seated  in  the  grate  of  the  Bea- 


236  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

con,  his  countenance,  usually  so  vacant,  gleam 
ing  with  exultation,  while  he  continued  waving 
his  hat  high  in  air,  as  gun  after  gun  was  added  to 
the  uproar  of  the  cannonade. 

"  How  now,  fellow  !"  exclaimed  Lionel;  "  what 
see  you?  and  where  are  the.  Bay-men  of  whom 
you  speak?" 

"  Where,"  returned  the  simpleton,  clapping  his 
hands  with  childish  delight — "  why,  where  they 
came  at  dark  midnight,  and  where  they'll  stand 
at  open  noon-day !  The  Bay-men  can  look 
into  the  windows  of  old  Funnel  at  last,  and  now 
let  the  reg'lars  come  on,  and  they'll  teach  the 
godless  murderers  the  law  !" 

Lionel,  a  little  irritated  with  the  bold  language 
of  Job,  called  to  him  in  an  angry  voice — 

"  Come  down  from  that  perch,  fellow,  and  ex 
plain  yourself,  or  this  grenadier  shall  lift  you 
from  your  seat,  and  transfer  you  to  the  post  for 
n.  little  of  that  wholesome  correction  which  you 
need." 

"You  promised  that  the  grannies  should  never 
flog  Job  ag'in,"  said  the  changeling,  crouching 
down  in  the  grate,  whence  he  looked  out  at  his 
threatened  chastiser  with  a  lowering  and  sullen 
eye — "  and  Job  agreed  to  run  your  a'r'nds, 
and  not  take  any  of  the  king's  crowns  in  pay." 

"  Come  down,  then,  this  instant,  and  I  will  re 
member  the  compact." 

Comforted  by  this  assurance,  which  was  made 
in  a  more  friendly  tone,  Job  threw  himself  care 
lessly  from  his  iron  seat,  and  clinging  to  the  post, 
he  slid  swiftly  to  the  earth,  where  Major  Lincoln 
immediately  arrested  him  by  the  arm,  and  de 
manded — 

"  Where  are  those  Bay-men,  I  once  more 
ask  ?"' 

"  There !"   repeated   Job,  pointing  over  the 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  237 

low  roofs  of  the  town,  in  the  direction  of  the  op 
posite  peninsula.  "  They  dug  their  cellar  on 
Breeds,  and  now  they  are  fixing  the  underpinning 
and  next  you'll  see  what  a  raising  they'll  invite 
the  people  to !" 

The  instant  the  spot  was  named,  all  those  eyes 
which  bad  hitherto  gazed  at  the  vessels  them 
selves,  instead  of  searching  for  the  object  of 
their  hostility,  were  turned  on  the  green  eminence 
which  rose  a  little  to  the  right  of  the  village  of 
Charlestowu,  and  every 'doubt  was  at  once  remov 
ed  by  the  discovery.  The  high,  conical  summit 
of  Bunker-hill  lay  naked,  and  unoccupied,  as  on 
the  preceding  day  ;  but  on  the  extremity  of  a  more 
humble  ridge,  which  extended  within  a  short 
distance  of  the  water,  a  low  bank  of  earth  had 
been  thrown  up,  for  purposes  which  no  military 
eye  could  mistake.  This  redoubt,  small  and  in 
artificial  as  it  was,  commanded  by  its  position 
the  whole  of  the  inner  harbour  of  Boston,  and 
even  endangered,  in  some  measure,  the  occupants 
of  the  town  itself.  It  was  the  sudden  appearance 
of  this  magical  mound,  as  the  mists  of  the  morn 
ing  had  dispersed,  which  roused  the  slumbering 
seamen  ;  and  it  had  already  become  the  target 
of  all  the  guns  of  the  shipping  in  the  bay.  Amaze 
ment  at  the  temerity  of  their  countrymen,  held 
the  townsmen  silent,  while  Major  Lincoln, 
and  the  few  officers  who  stood  nigh  him,  saw  at  a 
glance,  that  this  step  on  the  part  of  their  adversa 
ries  would  bring  the  affairs  of  the  leaguer  to  an 
instant  crisis.  In  vain  they  turned  their  wonder 
ing  looks  on  the  neighbouring  eminence,  and 
around  the  different  points  of  the  peninsula,  in 
quest  of  those  places  of  support  with  which  sol 
diers  generally  entrench  their  defences.  The 
husbandmen  opposed  to  them,  had  seized  upon 
the  point  best  calculated  to  annoy  their  foes, 


238  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

without  regard  to  the  consequences ;  and  in  a  few 
short  hours,  favoured  by  the  mantle  of  night,  had 
thrown  up  their  work  with  a  dexterity  that  was 
only  exceeded  by  their  boldness.  The  truth 
flashed  across  the  brain  of  Major  Lincoln  with  his 
first  glance,  and  he  felt  his  cheeks  glow  as  he  re 
membered  the  low  and  indistinct  murmurs  which 
the  night  air  had  wafted  to  his  ears,  and  those  in 
explicable  fancies,  which  had  even  continued  to 
haunt  him  till  dispersed  by  truth  and  the  light 
of  day.  Motioning  to  J<>b  to  follow,  he  left 
the  hill  with  a  hurried  step,  and  when  they  gain 
ed  the  common,  he  turned,  and  said,  sternly,  to 
his  companion — 

"  Fellow,  you  have  been  privy  to  this  midnight 
work  !" 

"  Job  has  enough  to  do  in  the  day,  without 
labouring  in  the  night,  when  none  but  the  dead 
are  out  of  their  places  of  rest,"  returned  the  lad, 
with  a  look  of  mental  imbecility,  which  immedi 
ately  disarmed  the  resentment  of  the  other. 

Lionel  smiled  as  he  again  remembered  his  own 
weakness,  and  repeated  to  himself — 

"The  dead!  ay,  these  are  the  works  of  the 
living,  and  bold  men  are  they  who  have  dared  te 
do  the  deed.  But  tell  me,  Job,  for  'tis  in  vain 
to  attempt  deceiving  me  any  longer,  what  num 
ber  of  Americans  did  you  leave  on  the  hill  when 
you  crossed  the  Charles  to  visit  the  graves  on 
Copp's,  the  past  night  ?" 

"  Both  hills  were  crowded,"  returned  the 
other — "  Breeds  with  the  people,  and  Copp's  with 
the  ghosts — Job  believes  the  dead  rose  to  see 
their  children  digging  so  nigh  them  !" 

"  'Tis  probable,"  said  Lionel,  who  believed  it 
wisest  to  humour  the  wild  conceits  of  the  lad,  in 
order  to  disarm  his  cunning  ;  "  but  though  the 
dead  are  invisible,  the  living  may  be  counted.'" 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  239 

"Job  did  count  five  hundred  men,  marching 
over  the  nose  of  Bunker,  by  star-light,  with  their 
picks  and  spades ;  and  then  he  stopped,  for  he 
forgot  whether  seven  or  eight  hundred  came 
next." 

"  And  after  you  ceased  to  count,  did  many 
others  pass  ?" 

"  The  Bay-colony  isn't  so  poorly  off  for  men, 
that  it  can't  muster  a  thousand  at  a  raising." 

"  But  you  had  a  master  workman  on  the  occa 
sion;  was  it  the  wolf-hunter  of  Connecticut?" 

"  There  is  no  occasion  to  go  from  the  pro 
vince  to  find  a  workman  to  lay  out  a  cellar  ! — 
Dicky  Gridley  is  a  Boston  boy  !" 

"  Ah  !  he  is  the  chief!  we  can  have  nothing  to 
fear  then,  since  the  Connecticut  woodsman  is  not 
at  their  head  .?" 

"  Do  you  think  old  Prescott,  of  Pepperel,  will 
quit  the  hill  while  he  has  a  kernel  of  powder  to 
burn  ! — QO,  no,  Major  Lincoln,  Ralph  himself 
an't  a  stouter  warrior ;  and  you  can't  frighten 
Ralph !" 

"  But  if  they  fire  their  cannon  often,  their 
small  stock  of  ammunition  will  be  soon  consum 
ed,  and  then  they  must  unavoidably  run." 

Job  laughed  tauntingly,  and  with  an  appear 
ance  of  high  scorn,  before  he  answered — 

"  Fes,  if  the  Bay-men  were  as  dumb  as  the 
king's  troops,  and  used  such  big  guns !  but  the 
cannon  of  the  colony  want  but  little  brimstone, 
and  there's  but  few  of  them — let  the  rake-hel- 
lies  go  up  to  Breeds ;  the  people  will  teach 
them  the  law  !" 

Lionel  had  now  obtained  all  he  expected  to 
learn  from  the  simpleton  concerning  the  force 
and  condition  of  the  Americans;  and  as  the  mo 
ments  were  too  precious  to  be  wasted  in  vain  dis- 


240  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

course,  he  bid  the  lad  repair  to  his  quarters  that 
night,  and  left  him.  On  entering  bis  own  lodg 
ings,  Major  Lincoln  shut  himself  up  in  his  private 
apartment,  and  passed  several  hours  in  writing, 
and  examining  important  papers.  One  letter,  in 
particular,  was  written,  read,  torn,  and  rewritten 
five  or  six  times,  until  at  length  he  placed  his 
seal,  and  directed  the  important  paper  with  a  sort 
of  carelessness  that  denoted  his  patience  was  ex 
hausted  by  repeated  trials.  These  documents 
were  entrusted  to  Meriton,  with  orders  to  deliver 
them  to  their  several  addresses,  unless  counter 
manded  before  the  following  day,  and  the  young 
man  hastily  swallowed  a  late  and  light  breakfast. 
While  shut  up  in  his  closet,  Lionel  had  several 
times  thrown  aside  his  pen  to  listen,  as  the  hum  of 
the  place  penetrated  to  his  retirement,  and  an 
nounced  the  excitement  and  bustle  which  pervad 
ed  the  streets  of  the  town.  Having  at  length 
completed  the  task  he  had  assigned  himself,  he 
caught  up  his  hat,  and  took  his  way,  with  hasty 
steps,  into  the  centre  of  the  place. 

Cannon  were  rattling  over  the  rough  pave 
ments,  followed  by  ammunition  wagons,  and  of 
ficers  and  men  of  the  artillery  were  seen  in  swift 
pursuit  of  their  pieces.  Aide-de-camps  were 
riding  furiously  through  the  streets,  charged  with 
important  messages  ;  and  here  and  there  an  officer 
might  be  seen  issuing  from  his  quarters,  with  a 
countenance  in  which  manly  pride  struggled 
powerfully  with  inward  dejection,  as  he  caught 
the  last  glance  of  anguish  which  followed  his 
retiring  form,  from  eyes  that  had  been  used  to 
meet  his  own  with  looks  of  confidence  and  love. 
There  was,  however,  but  little  time  to  dwell  on 
these  flitting  glimpses  of  domestic  wo,  amid  the 
general  bustle  and  glitter  of  the  scene.  Now  and 
then  the  strains  of  martial  music  broke  up  through 


LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

the  windings  of  the  crooked  avenues,  and  detach 
ments  of  the  troops  wheeled  by  on  their  way  to 
the  appointed  place  of  embarkation.  While  Lio 
nel  stood  a  moment  at  the  corner  of  a  street,  ad 
miring  the  firm  movement  of  a  body  of  grena 
diers,  his  eye  fell  on  the  powerful  frame  and 
rigid  features  of  M'Fuse,  marching  at  the  head  of 
his  company  with  that  gravity  which  regarded 
the  accuracy  of  the  step  amongst  the  important 
incidents  of  life.  At  a  short  distance  from  him 
was  Job  Pray,  timing  his  paces  to  the  tread  of 
the  soldiers,  and  regarding  the  gallant  show  with 
stupid  admiration,  while  his  ear  unconsciously 
drank  the  inspiriting  music  of  their  band.  As 
this  fine  body  of  men  passed  on,  it  was  immedi 
ately  succeeded  by  a  battalion  in  which  Lionel 
instantly  recognised  the  facings  of  his  own  regi 
ment.  The  warm-hearted  Polwarth  led  its  for 
ward  files,  and  waving  his  hand,  he  cried — 

"  God  bless  you,  Leo,  God  bless  you — we  shall 
make  a  fair  stand  up  fight  of  this  j  there  is  an  end 
of  all  stag-hunting." 

The  notes  of  the  horns  rose  above  his  voice, 
and  Lionel  could  do  no  more  than  return  his 
cordial  salute ;  when,  recalled  to  his  purpose  by 
the  sight  of  his  comrades,  he  turned,  and  pur 
sued  his  way  to  the  quarters  of  the  commander-in- 
chief. 

The  gate  of  Province-house  was  thronged  with 
military  men  ;  some  waiting  for  admittance,  and 
others  entering  and  departing  with  the  air  of 
those  who  were  charged  with  the  execution  of 
matters  of  the  deepest  moment.  The  name  of 
Major  Lincoln  was  hardly  announced  before  an 
aid  appeared  to  conduct  him  into  the  presence 
of  the  governor,  with  a  politeness  and  haste  that 
several  gentlemen,  who  had  been  in  waiting  for 
hours,  deemed  in  a  trifling  degree  unjust. 

VOL.  I. 


242  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

Lionel,  however,  having  little  to  do  with 
murmurs  which  he  did  not  hear,  followed  his  con 
ductor,  and  was  immediately  ushered  into  the 
apartment,  where  a  council  of  war  had  just  closed 
its  deliberations.  On  the  threshold  of  its  door 
he  was  compelled  to  give  way  to  an  officer  who 
was  departing  in  haste,  and  whose  powerful  frame 
seemed  bent  a  little  in  the  intensity  of  thought, 
as  his  dark,  military  countenance  lighted  for  an 
instant  with  the  salutation  he  returned  to  the  low 
bow  of  the  young  soldier.  Around  this  chief 
a  group  of  younger  men  immediately  clustered, 
and  as  they  departed  in  company,  Lionel  was  en 
abled  to  gather  from  their  conversation  that  they 
took  their  way  for  the  field  of  battle.  The  room 
was  filled  with  officers  of  high  rank,  though  here 
and  there  was  to  be  seen  a  man  in  civil  attire, 
whose  disappointed  and  bitter  looks  announced 
him  to  be  one  of  those  mandamus  counsellors, 
whose  evil  advice  had  hastened  the  mischief  their 
wisdom  could  never  repair.  From  out  a  small  cir 
cle  of  these  mortified  civilians,  the  unpretending 
person  of  Gage  advanced  to  meet  Lionel,  form 
ing  a  marked  contrast  by  the  simplicity  of  its 
dress,  to  the  military  splendour  that  was  glittering 
around  him. 

"  In  what  can  I  oblige  Major  Lincoln  ?"  he 
said,  taking  the  young  man  by  the  hand  cordial 
ly,  as  if  glad  to  be  rid  of  the  troublesome  coun 
sellors  he  had  so  unceremoniously  quitted. 

"  '  Wolfe's  own'  has  just  passed  me  on  its  way 
to  the  boats,  and  I  have  ventured  to  intrude  on 
your  excellency  to  inquire  if  it  were  not  time  its 
Major  had  resumed  his  duty  f" 

A  shade  of  thought  was  seated  for  a  moment  on 
the  placid  features  of  the  general,  and  he  then  an 
swered  with  a  friendly  smile — 


LIONEL   LINdOLN.  243 

"  'Twill  be  no  more  than  an  affair  of  out-posts, 
and  must  be  quickly  ended.  But  should  1  grant 
the  request  of  every  brave  young  man  whose 
spirit  is  up  to-day,  it  might  cost  his  majesty's  ser 
vice  the  life  of  some  officer  that  would  make  the 
purchase  of  the  pile  of  earth  too  dear." 

"  But  may  I  not  be  permitted  to  say,  that  the 
family  of  Lincoln  is  of  the  Province,  and  its 
example  should  not  be  lost  on  such  an  occasion  ?" 

"  The  loyalty  of  the  colonies  is  too  well  repre 
sented  here  to  need  the  sacrifice,"  said  Gage, 
glancing  his  eyes  carelessly  at  the  expecting  group 
behind  him. — "  My  council  have  decided  on  the 
officers  to  be  employed,  and  I  regret  that  Major 
Lincoln's  name  was  omitted,  since  1  know  it  will 
give  him  pain ;  but  valuable  lives  are  not  to  be 
lightly  and  unnecessarily  exposed." 

Lionel  bowed  in  submission,  and  after  commu 
nicating  the  little  he  had  gathered  from  Job  Pray, 
he  turned  away,  and  found  himself  near  another 
officer  of  high  rank,  who  smiled  as  he  observed  his 
disappointed  countenance,  and  taking  him  by  the 
arm,  led  him  from  the  room,  with  a  freedom  suit 
ed  to  his  fine  figure  and  easy  air. 

"  Then,  like  myself,  Lincoln,  you  are  not  to 
battle  for  the  king  to-day,"  he  said,  on  gaining 
the  anti-chamber.  "  Howe  has  the  luck  of  the 
occasion,  if  there  can  be  luck  in  so  vulgar  an 
affair.  Buta//ons;  accompany  me  to  Copp's,  as 
a  spectator,  since  they  deny  us  parts  in  the  drama ; 
and  perhaps  we  may  pick  up  materials  for  a  pas 
quinade,  though  not  for  an  epic." 

"  Pardon  me,  General  Burgoyne,"  said  Lio 
nel,  "  if  I  view  the  matter  with  more  serious  eyes 
than  yourself." 

"  Ah  !  I  had  forgot  that  you  were  a  follower 
of  Percy  in  the  hunt  of  Lexington  !"  interrupted 
the  other ;  "  we  will  call  it  a  tragedy,  then,  if 


244  LIONEL  LINCOLN. 

it  better  suits  your  humour.  For  myself,  Lincoln, 
I  weary  of  these  crooked  streets  and  gloomy 
houses,  and  having  some  taste  for  the  poetry  of 
nature,  would  have  long  since  looked  out  upon 
the  deserted  fields  of  these  husbandmen,  had  the 
authority,  as  well  as  the  inclination,  rested  with 
me.  But  Clinton  is  joining  us :  he,  too,  is  for 
Copp's,  where  we  can  all  take  a  lesson  in  arms,  by 
studying  the  manner  in  which  Howe  wields  his 
battalions." 

A  soldier  of  middle  age  now  joined  them,  whose 
stout  frame,  while  it  wanted  the  grace  and  ease 
of  the  gentleman  who  still  held  Lionel  by  the  arm. 
bore  a  martial  character  to  which  the  look  of  the 
quiet  and  domestic  Gage  was  a  stranger;  and  fol 
lowed  by  their  several  attendants,  the  whole  party 
immediately  left  the  government-bouse  to  take 
their  destined  position  on  the  eminence  so  often 
mentioned. 

As  they  entered  the  street,  Burgoyne  relin 
quished  the  arm  of  his  companion,  and  moved 
with  becoming  dignity  by  the  side  of  his  brother 
General.  Lionel  gladly  availed  himself  of  this 
alteration  to  withdraw  a  little  from  the  group, 
whose  steps  he  followed  at  such  a  distance  as  per 
mitted  him  to  observe  those  exhibitions  of  feeling 
on  the  part  of  the  inhabitants,  which  the  pride  of 
the  others  induced  them  to  overlook.  Pallid  and 
anxious  female  faces  were  gleaming  out  upon 
them  from  every  window,  while  the  roofs  of  the 
houses,  and  the  steeples  of  the  churches,  were  be-]lk 
ginning  to  throng  with  more  daring,  and  equally  ^ 
interested  spectators.  The  drums  no  longer  roll 
ed  along  the  narrow  streets,  though,  occasionally, 
the  shrill  strain  of  a  fife  was  heard  from  the  wa 
ter,  announcing  the  movements  of  the  troops  to 
the  opposite  peninsula.  Over  all  was  heard  the 
incessant  roaring  of  the  artillery,  which,  untired, 
had  not  ceased  to  rumble  in  the  air  since  the  ap- 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  245 

pearance  of  light,  until  the  ear,  accustomed  to  its 
presence,  had  learnt  to  distinguish  the  lesser 
sounds  we  have  recorded. 

As  the  party  descended  into  the  lower  passages 
of  the  town,  it  appeared  deserted  by  every  thing 
having  life,  the  open  windows  and  neglected  doors 
betraying  the  urgency  of  the  feelings  which  had 
called  the  population  to  situations  more  favoura 
ble  for  observing  the  approaching  contest.  This 
appearance  of  intense  curiosity  excited  the  sym 
pathies  of  even  the  old  and  practised  soldiers ; 
and  quickening  their  paces,  the  whole  soon 
rose  from  among  the  gloomy  edifices  to  the  open 
and  unobstructed  view  from  the  hill. 

The  whole  scene  now  lay  before  them.  Nearly 
in  their  front  was  the  village  of  Charlestown, 
with  its  deserted  streets,  and  silent  roofs,  looking 
like  a  place  of  the  dead ;  or,  if  the  signs  of  life 
were  visible  within  its  open  avenues,  'twas  mere 
ly  some  figure  moving  swiftly  in  the  solitude,  like 
one  who  hastened  to  quit  the  devoted  spot.  On 
the  opposite  point  of  the  south-eastern  face  of 
the  peninsula,  and  at  the  distance  of  a  thousand 
yards,  the  ground  was  already  covered  by  masses 
of  human  beings,  in  scarlet,  with  their  arms  glit 
tering  in  a  noon-day  sun.  Between  the  two,  though 
in  the  more  immediate  vicinity  of  the  silent  town, 
the  rounded  ridge  already  described,  rose  abrupt 
ly  from  a  flat  that  was  bounded  by  the  water, 
until,  having  attained  an  elevation  of  some  fifty  or 
sixty  feet,  it  swelled  gradually  to  the  little  crest, 
where  was  planted  the  humble  object  that  had 
occasioned  all  this  commotion.  The  meadows,  on 
the  right,  were  still  peaceful  and  smiling  as  in  the 
most  quiet  days  of  the  province,  though  the  ex 
cited  fancy  of  Lionel  imagined  that  a  sullen  still 
ness  lingered  about  the  neglected  kilns  in  their 


246  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

front,  and  over  the  whole  landscape,  that  was  in 
gloomy  consonance  with  the  approaching  scene. 
Far  on  the  left,  across  the  waters  of  the  Charles, 
the  American  camp  had  poured  forth  its  thou 
sands  to  the  hills  ;  and  the  whole  population  of  the 
country  for  many  miles  inland,  bad  gathered  to  a 
point,  to  witness  a  struggle  charged  with  the  fate 
of  their  nation.  Beacon-hill  rose  from  out  the  ap 
palling  silence  of  the  town  of  Boston,  like  a  pyra 
mid  of  living  faces,  with  every  eye  fixed  on  the 
fatal  point,  and  men  hung  along  the  yards  of  the 
shipping,  or  were  suspended  on  cornices,  cupolas, 
and  steeples,  in  thoughtless  security,  while  every 
other  sense  was  lost  in  the  absorbing  interest  of 
the  sight.  The  vessels  of  war  had  hauled  deep 
into  the  rivers,  or  more  properly,  those  narrow 
arms  of  the  sea  which  formed  the  peninsula,  and 
sent  their  iron  missiles  with  unwearied  industry 
across  the  low  passage  which  alone  opened  the 
means  of  communication  between  the  self-devoted 
yeomen  on  the  hill,  and  their  distant  countrymen. 
While  battalion  landed  after  battalion  on  the 
point,  cannon-balls  from  the  battery  of  Copp's. 
and  the  vessels  of  war,  were  glancing  up  the  na 
tural  glacis  that  surrounded  the  redoubt,  burying 
themselves  in  its  earthen  parapet,  or  plunging 
with  violence  into  the  deserted  sides  of  the  loftier 
height  which  lay  a  few  hundred  yards  in  its  rear; 
and  the  black  and  smoking  bombs  appeared  to^ 
hover  above  the  spot,  as  if  pausing  to  select  the 
places  in  which  to  plant  their  deadly  combusti 
bles. 

Notwithstanding  these  appalling  preparations, 
and  ceaseless  annoyances,  throughout  that  long 
and  anxious  morning,  the  stout  husbandmen 
on  the  hill  had  never  ceased  their  steady  efforts 
to  maintain,  to  the  uttermost  extremity,  the  post 
they  had  so  daringly  assumed.  In  vain  the  Eng- 


LIONEL   LINCOLN.  247 

lish  exhausted  every  means  to  disturb  their 
stubborn  foes  ;  the  pick,  the  shovel,  and  the  spade 
continued  to  perform  their  offices,  and  mound  rose 
after  mound,  amidst  the  din  and  danger  of  the 
cannonade,  steadily,  and  as  well  as  if  the  fanciful 
conceits  of  Job  Pray  embraced  their  real  objects, 
and  the  labourers  were  employed  in  the  peaceful 
pursuits  of  their  ordinary  lives.  This  firmness, 
however,  was  not  like  the  proud  front  which  high 
training  can  impart  to  the  most  common  mind ; 
for  ignorant  of  the  glare  of  military  show  ;  in  the 
simple  and  rude  vestments  of  their  calling ;  arm 
ed  with  such  weapons  as  they  had  seized  from  the 
hooks  above  their  own  mantels ;  and  without 
even  a  banner  to  wave  its  cheering  folds  above 
their  heads,  they  stood,  sustained  only  by  the 
righteousness  of  their  cause,  and  those  deep 
moral  principles  which  they  had  received  from, 
their  fathers,  and  which  they  intended  this  day 
should  show,  were  to  be  transmitted  untarnish 
ed  to  their  children.  It  was  afterwards  known 
that  they  endured  their  labours  and  their  dangers 
even  in  want  of  that  sustenance  which  is  so  es 
sential  to  support  animal  spirits  in  moments  of 
calmness  and  ease ;  while  their  enemies,  on  the 
point,  awaiting  the  arrival  of  their  latest  bands, 
were  securely  devouring  a  meal,  which  to  hun 
dreds  amongst  them  proved  to  be  their  last.  The 
fatal  instant  now  seemed  approaching.  A  gene 
ral  movement  was  seen  among  the  battalions 
of  the  British,  who  began  to  spread  along  the 
shore,  under  cover  of  the  brow  of  the  hill — 
the  lingering  boats  having  arrived  with  the  rear 
of  their  detachments — and  officers  hurried  from 
regiment  to  regiment  with  the  final  mandates 
of  their  chief.  At  this  moment  a  body  of  Ame 
ricans  appeared  on  the  crown  of  Bunker-hill, 
and  descending  swiftly  by  the  road,  disappear- 


248  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

ed  in  the  meadows  to  the  left  of  their  own 
redoubt.  This  band  was  followed  by  others, 
who,  like  themselves,  had  broken  through  the 
dangers  of  the  narrow  pass,  by  braving  the 
fire  of  the  shipping,  and  who  also  hurried  to 
join  their  comrades  on  the  low  land.  The  Bri 
tish  General  determined  at  once  to  anticipate  the 
arrival  of  further  reinforcements,  and  gave  forth 
the  long-expected  order  to  prepare  for  the  attack 


CHAP.  XVf. 

'•l  TV  imperious  Briton,  on  the  well-fought  ground, 
"  No  cause  for  joy,  or  wanton  triumph  found, 
"  But  saw,  with  grief,  their  dreams  of  conquest  vain, 
"•  Felt  the  deep  wounds,  and  mourn 'd  their  vet'rans  slain 

Humphreys. 

THE  Americans  had  made  a  show,  in  the 
course  of  that  fearful  morning,  of  returning  the 
fire  of  their  enemies,  by  throwing  a  few  shot  from 
their  light  field-pieces,  as  if  in  mockery  of  the 
tremendous  cannonade  which  they  sustained. 
But  as  the  moment  of  severest  trial  approached, 
the  same  awful  stillness  which  had  settled  upon 
the  deserted  streets  of  Charlestown,  hovered 
around  the  redoubt.  On  the  meadows,  to  its 
left,  the  recently  arrived  bands  hastily  threw 
the  rails  of  two  fences  into  one,  and  covering 
the  whole  with  the  mown  grass  that  surrounded 
them,  they  posted  themselves  along  the  frail 
defence,  which  ansxvered  no  better  purpose  than 
to  conceal  their  weakness  froro,  their  adversaries. 
Behind  this  characteristic  rampart,  several  bodies 
of  husbandmen  from  the  neighbouring  provinces 
of  New-Hampshire  and  Connecticut,  lay  on  their 
arms,  in  sullen  expectation.  Their  line  extended 
from  the  shore  to  the  base  of  the  ridge>  where  it 


256  LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

terminated  several  hundred  feet  behind  the 
works ;  leaving  a  wide  opening  in  a  diagonal  di 
rection,  between  the  fence  and  an  earthen  breast 
work,  which  ran  a  short  distance  down  the  de 
clivity  of  the  hill,  from  the  north-eastern  angle 
of  the  redoubt.  A  few  hundred  yards  in  the 
rear  of  this  rude  disposition,  the  naked  crest 
of  Bunker-hill  rose  unoccupied  and  undefended, 
and  the  streams  of  the  Charles  and  Myslick 
sweeping  around  its  ba<e,  approached  so  near 
each  other  as  to  blend  the  sounds  of  their  rip 
pling.  It  was  across  this  low  and  narrow  isthmus, 
that  the  royal  frigates  poured  a  stream  of  fire, 
that  never  ceased,  while  around  it  hovered  the 
numerous  parties  of  the  undisciplined  Americans, 
hesitating  to  attempt  the  dangerous  passage. 

In  this  manner  Guge  had.  in  a  great  degree, 
surrounded  the  devoted  peninsula  with  his  power ; 
and  the  bold  men  who  had  so  daringly  planted 
themselves  under  the  muzzles  of  his  cannon, 
were  left,  as  already  stated,  unsupported,  without 
nourishment,  and  with  weapons  from  their  own 
gun-hooks,  singly  to  maintain  the  honour  of  their 
nation.  Including  men  of  all  ages  and  conditions, 
there  might  have  been  two  thousand  of  them  ; 
but  as  the  day  advanced,  small  bodies  of  their 
countrymen,  taking  counsel  of  their  feelings,  and 
animated  by  the  example  of  the  old  Partisan  of 
the  Woods,  who  crossed  and  recrossed  the  neck, 
loudly  scoffing  at  the  danger,  broke  through  the 
fire  of  the  shipping  in  time  to  join  in  the  closing 
and  bloody  business  of  the  hour. 

On  the  other  hand,  Howe  led  more  than  an 
equal  number  of  the  chosen  troops  of  his  Prince; 
and  as  boats  continued  to  ply  between  the  two 
peninsulas  throughout  the  afternoon,  the  relative 
disparity  continued  uudiminished  to  the  end  o.( 


LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

the  struggle.  It  was  at  this  point  in  our  narrative 
that,  deeming  himself  sufficiently  strong  to  force 
the  defences  of  his  despised  foes,  the  arrange?- 
ments  immediately  preparatory  to  such  an  un 
dertaking  were  made  in  full  view  of  the  ex 
cited  spectators.  Notwithstanding  the  security 
with  which  the  English  General  marshalled  his 
warriors,  he  felt  that  the  approaching  contest 
would  be  a  battle  of  no  conimuii  incidents.  The 
eyes  of  tens  of  thousands  were  fastened  on  his 
movements,  and  the  occasion  demanded  the  rich 
est  display  of  the  pageantry  of  war. 

The  troops  formed  with  beautiful  accuracy, 
and  the  column1-  moved  steadily  along  the  shore, 
and  took  their  assigned  stations  under  cover  of 
the  brow  of  the  eminence.  Their  force  was  in 
some  measure  divided  ;  one  moiety  attempting 
the  toilsome  ascent  of  the  hill,  and  the  other  mov 
ing  along  the  beach,  or  in  the  orchards  of  the 
more  level  ground,  towards  the  husbandmen  on 
the  meadows.  The  latter  soon  disappeared  be 
hind  some  fruit-trees  and  the  brick-kilns  just 
mentioned.  The  advance  of  the  royal  columns 
up  the  ascent  was  slou  and  measured,  giving 
time  to  their  field-guns  to  add  their  efforts  to 
the  uproar  of  the  cannonade,  which  broke  out 
with  new  fury  as  the  battalions  prepared  to 
march.  When  each  column  arrived  at  the  allotted 
point,  it  spread  the  gallant  array  of  its  glittering 
warriors  under  a  bright  sun. 

"  It  is  a  glorious  spectacle,"  murmured  the 
graceful  chieftain  by  the  side  of  Lionel,  keenly 
alive  to  all  the  poetry  of  his  alluring  profession  j 
"  how  exceeding  soldier-like !  and  with  what 
accuracy  his  '  first-arm  ascends  the  hill,'  towards 
his  enemy  !" 

The  intensity  of  his  feelings  prevented  Major 
Lincoln  from  replying,  and  the  other  soon  forgot 


252  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

that  he  had  spoken,  in  the  overwhelming  anxiety 
«f  the  moment.  The  advance  of  the  British 
line,  so  beautiful  and  slow,  resembled  rather 
the  ordered  steadiness  of  a  drill  than  an  approach 
to  a  deadly  struggle.  Their  standards  fluttered 
proudly  above  them,  and  there  were  moments 
when  the  wild  music  of  their  bands  was  heard 
rising  on  the  air,  and  tempering  the  ruder  sounds 
of  the  artillery.  The  young  and  thoughtless  in  their 
ranks  turned  their  faces  backward,  and  smiled 
exuhingly,  as  they  beheld  steeples,  roofs,  masts, 
and  heights,  teeming  with  their  thousands  of  eyes, 
bent  on  the  show  of  their  bright  array.  As  the  Bri 
tish  lines  moved  in  open  view  of  the  little  redoubt, 
and  began  slowly  to  gather  around  its  different 
faces,  gun  after  gun  became  silent,  and  the 
curious  artillerist,  or  tired  seaman,  lay  extended 
on  his  heated  piece,  gazing  in  mute  wonder  at 
the  spectacle.  There  was  just  then  a  minute 
when  the  roar  of  the  cannonade  seemed  passing 
away  like  the  rumbling  of  distant  thunder. 

"They  will  not  fight,  Lincoln,"  said  the  ani 
mated  leader  at  the  side  of  Lionel — "  the  military 
front  of  Howe  has  chilled  the  hearts  of  the  knaves, 
and  our  victory  will  be  bloodless !" 

"  We  shall  see,  sir — we  shall  see !" 

These  words  were  barely  uttered,  when  platoon 
after  platoon,  among  the  British,  delivered  its 
fire,  the  blaze  of  musketry  flashing  swiftly  around 
the  brow  of  the  hill,  and  was  immediately  follow 
ed  by  heavy  volleys  that  ascended  from  the 
orchard.  Still  no  answering  sound  was  heard 
from  the  Americans,  and  the  royal  troops  were 
soon  lost  to  the  eye  as  they  slowly  marched  into 
the  white  cloud  which  their  own  fire  had  alone 
created. 

"  They  are  cowed,  by  heavens — the  dogs  are 
cowed  !"  once  more  cried  the  gay  companion  of 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  253 

* 

Lionel,  "  and  Howe  is  within  two  hundred  feet  of 
them,  unharmed !" 

At  that  instant  a  sheet  of  flame  glanced  through 
the  smoke,  like  lightning  playing  in  a  cloud, 
while  at  one  report  a  thousand  muskets  were 
added  to  the  uproar.  It  was  not  altogether  fan 
cy  which  led  Lionel  to  imagine  that  he  saw  the 
smoky  canopy  of  the  hill  to  wave  as  if  the  trained 
warriors  it  enveloped  faltered  before  this  close 
and  appalling  discharge ;  but  in  another  instant, 
the  stimulating  war-cry,  and  the  loud  shouts  of 
the  combatants  were  borne  across  the  strait  to 
his  ears,  even  amid  the  horrid  din  of  the  combat. 
Ten  breathless  minutes  flew  by  like  a  moment  of 
time,  and  the  bewildered  spectators  on  Copp's 
were  still  gazing  intently  on  the  scene,  when  a 
voice  was  raised  among  them,  shouting — 

"Hurrah!  let  the  rake-hellies  go  up  to  Breed's; 
the  people  will  teach  'em  the  law !" 

"Throw  the  rebel  scoundrel  from  the  hill! 
Blow  him  from  the  muzzle  of  a  gun  !"  cried 
twenty  soldiers  in  a  breath. 

"  Hold  !"  exclaimed  Lionel — "  'tis  a  simple 
ton,  an  idiot,  a  fool  !" 

But  the  angry  and  savage  murmurs  as  quickly 
subsided,  and  were  lost  in  other  feelings,  as  the 
bright  red  lines  of  the  royal  troops  were  seen 
issuing  from  the  smoke,  waving  and  recoiling 
before  the  still  vivid  fire  of  the'ir  enemies. 

"  Ha  !"  said  Burgoyne — "  'tis  some  feint  to 
draw  the  rebels  from  their  hold  !" 

"  'Tis  a  palpable  and  disgraceful  retreat !" 
muttered  the  stern  warrior  nigh  him,  whose  truer 
eye  detected  at  a  glance  the  discomfiture  of  the 
assailants—"  'Tis  another  base  retreat  before  the 
rebels  !" 

"  Hurrah  !"  shouted  the  reckless  changeling 
again ;  "  there  come  the  reg'tars  out  of  the 

VOL.  i.  2S 


254  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

orchard  too  ! — see  the  grannies  skulking  behind 
the  kilns !  Let  them  go  on  to  Breed's,  the  peo 
ple  will  teach  'em  the  law  !" 

No  cry  of  vengeance  preceded  the  act  this 
time,  but  fifty  of  the  soldier)  rushed,  as  by  a  com 
mon  impulse,  on  their  prey.  Lionel  had  not  time 
to  utter  a  word  of  remonstrance,  before  Job  ap 
peared  in  the  air,  borne  on  the  uplifted  arms  of 
a  dozen  men,  and  at  the  next  instant  he  was 
seen  rolling  down  the  steep  declivity,  with  a  ve 
locity  that  carried  him  to  the  water's  edge. 
Springing  to  his  feet,  the  undaunted  changeling 
once  more  waved  his  hat  in  triumph,  and  shout 
ed  forth  again  his  offensive  challenge.  Then 
turning,  he  launched  his  canoe  from  its  hiding 
place  among  the  adjacent  lumber,  amid  a  shower 
of  stones,  and  glided  across  the  strait ;  his  little 
bark  escaping  unnoticed  in  the  crowd  of  boats 
that  were  rowing  in  all  directions.  But  his  pro 
gress  was  watched  by  the  uneasy  eye  of  Lionel, 
who  saw  him  land  and  disappear,  with  hasty  steps, 
in  the  silent  streets  of  the  town. 

While  this  trifling  by-play  was  enacted,  the 
great  drama  of  the  day  was  not  at  a  stand.  The 
smoky  veil  which  clung  around  the  brow  of  the 
eminence,  was  lifted  by  the  air,  and  sailed  hea 
vily  away  to  the  south-west,  leaving  the  scene  of 
the  bloody  struggle  again  open  to  the  view.  Lio 
nel  witnessed  the  grave  and  meaning  glances 
which  the  two  lieutenants  of  the  king  exchanged 
as  they  simultaneously  turned  their  glasses  from 
the  fatal  spot,  and  taking  the  one  proffered  by 
Burgoyne,  he  read  their  explanation  in  the  num 
bers  of  the  dead  that  lay  profusely  scattered  in 
front  of  the  redoubt.  At  this  instant,  an  officer 
from  the  field  held  an  earnest  communication 
with  the  two  leaders,  when,  having  delivered  bis 
.orders,  he  hastened  back  to  his  boat,  like  one 


LIONEL   LINCOLN. 

who  felt  himself  employed  in  matters  of  life  and 
death. 

"  It  shall  be  done,  sir,"  repeated  Clinton,  as 
the  other  departed,  his  own  honest  brow  sternly 
knit  under  high  martial  excitement. — "  The  artil 
lery  have  their  orders,  and  the  work  will  be  ac 
complished  without  delay." 

"  This,  Major  Lincoln  !"  cried  his  more  so 
phisticated  companion.  k'  this  is  one  of  the  trying 
duties  of  the  soldier !  To  fight,  to  bleed,  or 
even  to  die,  for  his  prince,  is  his  happy  privilege; 
but  it  is  sometimes  his  unfortunate  lot  to  become 
the  instrument  of  vengeance." 

Lionel  waited  but  a  moment  for  an  explana 
tion — the  flaming  balls  were  soon  seen  taking 
their  wide  circuit  in  the  air,  and  carrying  their 
desolation  among  the  close  and  inflammable 
roofs  of  the  opposite  town.  In  a  very  few  minutes 
a  dense,  black  smoke  arose  from  the  deserted 
buildings,  and  forked  flames  played  actively  along 
the  he<ued  shingles,  as  though  rioting  in  their 
unmolested  possession  of  the  place.  He  regard 
ed  the  gathering  destruction  in  painful  silence  j 
and  on  bending  his  looks  towards  his  companions, 
he  fancied,  notwithstanding  the  language  of  the 
other,  that  he  read  the  deepest  regret  in  the  avert 
ed  eye  of  him  who  had  so  unhesitatingly  uttered 
the  fatal  mandate  to  destroy. 

In  scenes  like  these  we  are  attempting  to  de 
scribe,  hours  appear  to  be  minutes,  and  time  flies 
as  imperceptibly  as  life  slides  from  beneath  the 
feet  of  age.  The  disordered  ranks  of  the  British 
had  been  arrested  at  the  base  of  the  hill,  and 
were  again  forming  under  the  eyes  of  their  lead* 
ers,  with  admirable  discipline,  and  extraordinary 
care.  Fresh  battalions,  from  Boston,  marched 
with  high  military  pride  inlo  the  line,  and  every 
thing  betokened  that  a  second  assault  was  at  hand. 


256  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

When  the  moment  of  stupid  amazement  which 
succeeded  the  retreat  of  the  royal  troops  had 
passed,  the  troops  and  batteries  poured  out  their 
wrath  with  tenfold  fury  on  their  enemies.  Shot 
were  incessantly  glancing  up  the  gentle  acclivity, 
madly  ploughing  across  its  grassy  surface,  while- 
black  and  threatening  shells  appeared  to  hover 
above  the  work  like  the  monsters  of  the  air,  about 
to  stoop  upon  their  prey. 

Still  all  lay  quiet  and  immoveable  within  the 
low  mounds  of  earth,  as  if  none  there  had  a  stake 
in  the  issue  of  the  bloody  day.  For  a  few  mo 
ments  only,  the  tall  figure  of  an  aged  man  was 
seen  slowly  moving  along  the  summit  of  the 
rampart,  calmly  regarding  the  dispositions  of  the 
English  general  in  the  more  distant  part  of  his 
line,  and  after  exchanging  a  few  words  with  a 
gentleman  who  joined  him  in  his  dangerous  look 
out,  they  disappeared  together  behind  the  grassy 
banks.  Lionel  soon  detected  the  name  of  Pres- 
cott  of  Peppereil,  passing  through  the  crowd  in 
low  murmurs,  and  his  glass  did  not  deceive  him 
when  he  thought,  in  the  smaller  of  the  two,  he 
had  himself  descried  the  graceful  person  of  the 
unknown  leader  of  the  '  caucus.' 

All  eyes  were  now  watching  the  advance  of  the 
battalions,  which  once  more  drew  nigh  the  point  of 
contest.  The  heads  of  the  columns  were  already 
in  view  of  their  enemies,  when  a  man  was  seen 
swiftly  ascending  the  hill  from  the  burning  town  : 
he  paused  amid  the  peril,  on  the  natural  glacis, 
and  swung  his  hat  triumphantly,  and  Lionel  even 
fancied  he  heard  the  exulting  cry,  as  he  recog 
nised  the  ungainly  form  of  the  simpleton,  before 
it  plunged  into  the  work. 

The  right  of  the  British  once  more  disappear 
ed  in  the  orchard,  and  the  columns  in  front  of  the 
redoubt  again  opened  with  all  the  imposing  exact- 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  257 

ness  of  their  high  discipline.  Their  arms  were 
already  glittering  in  a  line  with  the  green  faces  of 
the  mound,  and  Lionel  heard  the  experienced 
\varrior  at  his  side,  murmuring  to  himself — 

"  Let  him  hold  his  fire,  and  he  will  go  in  at 
the  point  of  the  bayonet !" 

But  the  trial  was  too  great  for  even  the  prac 
tised  courage  of  the  royal  troops.  Volley  suc 
ceeded  volley,  and  in  a  few  moments  they  had 
again  curtained  their  ranks  behind  the  misty 
skreen  produced  by  their  own  fire.  Then  came  the 
terrible  flash  from  the  redoubt,  and  the  eddying 
volumes  from  the  adverse  hosts  rolled  into  one 
cloud,  enveloping  the  combatants  in  its  folds, 
as  if  to  conceal  their  bloody  work  from  the  spec 
tators.  Twenty  times  in  the  short  space  of  as 
many  minutes,  Major  Lincoln  fancied  he  heard 
the  incessant  roll  of  the  American  musketry  die 
away  before  the  heavy  and  regular  volleys  of  the 
troops,  and  then  he  thought  the  sounds  of  the  lat 
ter  grew  more  faint,  and  were  given  at  longer 
intervals. 

The  result,  however,  was  soon  known.  The 
heavy  bank  of  smoke  which  now  even  clung  along 
the  ground,  was  broken  in  fifty  places,  and  thedis- 
ordered  masses  of  the  Britisji  were  seen  driven 
before  their  deliberate  foes,  in  wild  confusion. 
The  flashing  swords  of  the  officers  in  vain  at 
tempted  to  arrest  the  torrent,  n ->r  did  the  flight 
cease  with  many  of  the  regiments  until  they  had 
even  reached  their  boats.  At  this  moment  a  hum 
was  heard  in  Boston  like  the  sudden  rush  of  wind, 
and  men  gazed  in  each  other's  faces  with  undis 
guised  amazement.  Here  and  there  a  low  sound 
of  exultation  escaped  some  unguarded  lip,  and 
many  an  eye  gleamed  with  a  triumph  that  could 
no  longer  be  suppressed.  Until  this  moment  the 
feelings  of  Lionel  had  vacillated  between  the 

23* 


258  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

pride  of  country  and  his  military  spirit,  but 
losing  all  other  feelings  in  the  latter  sensation, 
he  now  looked  fiercely  about  him,  as  if  he  would 
seek  the  man  who  dare  exult  in  the  repulse  of 
his  comrades.  The  poetic  chieftain  was  still  at 
his  side,  biting  his  nether  lip  in  vexation  ;  but  his 
more  tried  companion  had  suddenly  disappeared. 
Another  quick  glance  fell  upon  his  missing  form 
in  the  act  of  entering  a  boat  at  the  foot  of  the  hill. 
Quicker  than  thought,  Lionel  was  on  the  shore, 
crying  as  he  flew  to  the  water's  edge — 

"  Hold  !  for  God's  sake,  hold  !  remember  the 
47th  is  in  the  field,  and  that  I  am  its  Major !" 

"  Receive  him,"  said  Clinton,  with  that  grim 
satisfaction  with  which  men  acknowledge  a  valu 
ed  friend  in  moments  of  great  trial ;  "  and  then 
row  for  your  lives,  or  what  is  of  more  value,  for 
the  honour  of  the  British  name." 

The  brain  of  Lionel  whirled  as  the  boat  shot 
along  its  watery  bed,  but  before  it  had  gained  the 
middle  of  the  stream  he  had  time  to  consider  the 
whole  of  the  appalling  scene.  The  fire  had  spread 
from  house  to  house,  and  the  whole  village  of 
Cbarlestown,  with  its  four  hundred  buildings, 
was  just  bursting  into  flames.  The  air  seemed 
filled  with  whistling  balls,  as  they  hurtled  above 
his  head,  and  the  black  sides  of  the  vessels  of  war 
were  vomiting  their  sheets  of  flame  with  un 
wearied  industry.  Amid  this  tumult  the  Eng 
lish  General  and  his  companions  sprung  to  land. 
The  former  rushed  into  the  disordered  ranks,  and 
by  his  presence  and  voice  recalled  the  men  of  one 
regiment  to  their  duty.  But  long  and  loud  ap 
peals  to  their  spirit  and  their  ancient  fame  were 
necessary  to  restore  a  moiety  of  their  former  con 
fidence  to  men  who  had  been  thus  rudely  repuls 
ed,  and  who  now  looked  along  their  thinned  and 
exhausted  ranks,  missing  in  many  instances  mon 


LIONEL -LINCOLN.        .  259 

than  half  the  well-known  countenances  of  then- 
fellows.  In  the  midst  of  the  faltering  troops 
stood  their  stern  and  unbending  chief;  but  of  all 
those  gay  and  gallant  youths  who  followed  in  his 
train  as  he  had  departed  from  Province-house 
that  morning,  not  one  remained,  but  in  his  blood. 
He  alone  seemed  undisturbed  in  that  disordered 
crowd  ;  and  his  mandates  went  forth  as  usual, 
cairn  and  determined.  At  length  the  panic,  in 
some  degree,  subsided,  and  order  was  once  more 
restored  as  the  high-spirited  and  mortified  gentle 
men  of  the  detachment  regained  their  lost  au 
thority. 

The  leaders  consulted  together,  apart,  and  the 
dispositions  were  immediately  renewed  for  the 
assault.  Military  show  was  no  longer  affected, 
but  the  soldiers  laid  down  ail  the  useless  imple 
ments  of  their  trade,  and  many  even  cast  aside 
their  outer  garments,  under  the  warmth  of  a  broil 
ing  sun,  added  to  the  heat  of  the  conflagration 
which  began  to  diffuse  itself  along  the  extremity 
of  the  peninsula.  Fresh  companies  were  placed 
in  the  columns,  and  rnqst  of  the  troops  were  with 
drawn  from  the  meadows,  leaving  merely  a  few 
skirmishers  to  amuse  the  -mericans  who  lay  be 
hind  the  fence.  When  each  disposition  was  com 
pleted,  the  final  signal  was  given  to  advance. 

Lionel  had  taken  post,  in  his  regiment,  but 
marching  on  the  skirt  of  the  column,  he  com 
manded  a  view  of  most  of  the  scene  of  battle. 
In  his  front  moved  a  battalion,  reduced  to  a 
handful  of  men  in  the  previous  assaults.  Behind 
these  came  a  party  of  the  marine  guards,  from 
the  shipping,  led  by  their  own  veteran  Major ; 
and  next  followed  the  dejected  Nesbitt  and  his 
corps,  amongst  whom  Lionel  looked  in  vain  for 
the  features  of  the  good-natured  Polwarth.  Simi 
lar  columns  marched  on  their  right  and  left,  encir 
cling  three  sides  of  the  redoubt  by  their  Battalions. 


260  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

A  few  minutes  brought  him  in  full  view  of  tha* 
humble  and  unfinished  mound  of  earth,  for  the, 
possession  of  which  so  much  blood  had  that  day 
been  spilt  in  vain.  It  lay,  as  before,  still  as  if  none- 
breathed  within  its  bosom,  though  a  terrific  row 
oCdark  lubes  were  arrayed  along  its  top,  follow 
ing  the  movements  of  the  approaching  columns, 
as  the  eyes  of  the  imaginary  charmers  of  our  own 
wilderness  are  said  to  watch  their  victims.  As 
the  uproar  of  the  artillery  again  grew  fainter,  the 
crash  of  falling  streets,  and  the  appalling  sounds 
of  the  conflagration,  on  their  left,  became  more 
audible.  Immense  volumes  of  black  smoke  issued 
from  the  smouldering  ruins,  and  bellying  outward, 
fold  beyond  fold,  it  overhung  the  work  in  a  hide 
ous  cloud,  casting  its  gloomy  shadow  across  the 
place  of  blood. 

A  strong  column  was  now  seen  ascending,  as  if 
from  out  the  burning  town,  and  the  advance  of  the 
whole  became  quick  and  spirited.  A  low  call  ran 
through  the  platoons,  to  note  the  naked  weapons 
of  their  adversaries,  and  it  was  followed  by  the 
cry  of  "  to  the  bayonet !  to  the  bayonet !" 

"Hurrah!  for  the  (loyal  Irish!"  shouted 
M'Fuse,  at  the  head  of  the  dark  column  from  the 
conflagration. 

"  Hurrah  !"  echoed  a  well-known  voice  from 
the  silent  inoun<J ;  "  let  them  come  on  to  Breed's ; 
the  people  will  teach  'em  the  law  !" 

Men  think  at  such  moments  with  the  rapidity 
of  lightning,  and  Lionel  had  even  fancied  his 
comrades  in  possession  of  the  work,  when  the  ter 
rible  stream  of  fire  flashed  in  the  faces  of  the  men 
in  front. 

"  Push  on  with  the th,"  cried  the  veteran 

Major  of  Marines — "  push  on,  or  the  18th  will  get 
the  honour  of  the  day  !" 

"  We  cannot,"  murmured  the  soldiers  of  the 
•-•»th  ;  "  their  fire  is  too  heavy  !" 


LIONEL    LINCOLN. 


261 


you '" 


Then  break,  and  let  the  marines  pass  through 

you !" 

The  feeble   battalion  melted  away,  and  the 
warriors  of  the  deep,  trained  to  conflicts  of.  hand 
to  hand,  sprang  forward,  with  a  loud  shout,  in 
their  places.     The  Americans,  exhausted  of  their 
ammunition,  now  sunk  sullenly  back,  a  few  hurl 
ing  stones  at  their  foes,  in  desperate  indignation. 
The  cannon  of  the  British  had  been  brought  t< 
enfilade  their  short  breast-work,  which  was  no 
longer  tenable  ;  and  as  the  columns  approached 
closer  to  the  low  rampart,  it  became  a  mutu 
protection  to  the  adverse  parties. 
'    "  Hurrah  !  for  the  Royal  Irish  !"  again  shout 
ed  M'Fuse,  rushing  up  the  trifling  ascent,  whicl 
was  but  of  little  more  than  his  own  height. 

"Hurrah!"    repeated    Pitcairn,    waving    his 
sword  on  another  angle  of  the  work—"  the  day  s 

our  own !"  , 

One  more  sheet  of  flame  issued  out  of  the  t 
som  of  the  work,  and  all  those  brave  men,  who 
had  emulated  the  examples  of  their  officers,  were 
swept  away,  as  though  a  whirlwind  had  passe 
along.  The  grenadier  gave  his  war-cry  once  more 
before  he  pitched  headlong  among  his  enemies  ; 
while  Pitcairn  fell  back  into  the  arms  of  his  own 
child     The  cry  of  '  forward,  47th,'  rung  through 
their'ranks,  and  in  their  turn  this  veteran  batta 
lion  gallantly  mounted  the  ramparts.   In  the  sba 
low  ditch   Lionel  passed  the  dying  marine,  ani 
caught  the  dying  and  despairing  look  from  his 
eyes,  and  in  another  instant  he  found  himself  in 
the  presence  of  his  foes.     As  company  followed 
company  into  the  defenceless  redoubt,  the  Ame 
ricans  sullenly  retired  by  its  rear,  keeping  the 
bayonets  of  the  soldiers  at  bay  with  clubbed  mus 
kets  and  sinewy  arms.     When  the  whole  issued 
upon  the  open  ground,  the  husbandmen  receivec 


262  LIONEL    LINCOLN. 

a  close  and  fatal  fire  from  the  battalions  which 
were  now  gathering  around  them  on  three  sides. 
A  scene  of  wild  and  savage  confusion  then  suc 
ceeded  to  the  order  of  the  fight,  and  many  fatal 
blows  were  given  and  taken,  the  melee  rendering 
the  use  of  fire-arms  nearly  impossible  for  several 
minutes. 

Lionel  continued  in  advance,  pressing  on  the 
footsteps  of  the  retiring  foe,  stepping  over  many 
a  lifeless  body  in  his  difficult  progress.  Not 
withstanding  the  hurry,  and  vast  disorder  of  the 
fray,  his  eye  fell  on  tht-  form  of  tht-  graceful  stran 
ger,  stretched  lifele-s  on  the  parched  grass,  which 
had  greedily  drank  his  blood.  Amid  the  fero 
cious  cries,  and  fiercer  passions  of  the  moment, 
the  young  man  paused,  and  glanced  his  eyes 
around  him  with  an  expression  that  said,  he 
thought  the  work  of  death  >hould  cease.  At  this 
instant  the  trappings  of  his  attire  caught  the  gla 
ring  eye-balls  of  a  dying  )eoman,  whot-xerted  his 
wasting  strength  to  sacrifice  one  more  worthy 
victim  to  the  rnanes  of  his  countrymen.  The 
whole  of  the  tumultuous  scene  vanished  from  the 
senses  of  Lionel  at  the  flash  of  the  musket  of  this 
man,  and  he  sunk  beneath  the  feet  of  the  combat 
ants,  insensible  of  further  triumph,  and  of  every 
danger. 

The  fall  of  a  single  officer,  in  such  a  contest, 
was  a  circumstance  not  to  be  regarded,  and  regi 
ments  passed  over  him,  without  a  single  man 
stooping  to  inquirt'  into  his  fate.  When  the  Ame 
ricans  had  disengaged  themselves  from  the  troops, 
they  descended  into  the  little  hollow  between  the 
two  hills,  swiftly,  and  like  a  disordered  crowd, 
bearing  off  most  of  their  wounded,  and  leaving 
but  few  prisoners  in  the  hands  of  their  foes.  The 
formation  of  the  ground  favoured  their  retreat,  as 
hundreds  of  bullets  whistled  harmlessly  above 


LIONEL    LINCOLN.  263 

their  heads ;  and  by  the  time  they  gained  the 
acclivity  of  Bunker's,  distance  was  added  to  their 
security.  Finding  the  field  lost,  the  men  at  the 
fence  broke  away  in  a  body  from  their  position, 
and  abandoned  the  meadows  ;  the  whole  moving 
in  confused  masses  behind  the  crest  of  the  adja 
cent  height.  The  shouting  soldiery  followed  in 
their  footsteps,  pouring  in  fruitless  "and  distant 
volleys  ;  but  on  the  summit  of  Bunker  their  tired 
platoons  were  halted,  and  they  beheld  the  throng 
move  fearlessly  through  the  tremendous  fire  that 
enfiladed  the  low  pass,  as  little  injured  as  though 
most  of  them  bore  charmed  lives. 

The  day  was  now  drawing  to  a  close.  With  the 
disappearance  of  their  enemies,  the  ships  and 
batteries  ceased  their  cannonade,  and  presently 
not  a  musket  was  heard  in  that  place  where  so 
fierce  a  contest  had  so  long  raged.  The  troops 
commenced  fortifying  the  outward  eminence  on 
which  they  rested,  in  order  to  maintain  their  bar 
ren  conquest,  and  nothing  further  remained  for 
the  achievement  of  the  royal  lieutenants  but  to 
go  and  mourn  over  their  victory. 


END    OF    VOL.    I. 


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